Ransom before kidnap

Kidnapping for ransom syndicates have added a new twist to their illegal activities, demanding ransom money first from their would-be victims.

This new modus operandi was uncovered by the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) following the arrest last Friday of a suspected member of a kidnapping gang about to pick up the ransom from a Filipino-Chinese trader — the would-be victim — at the Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas, Pasig.

Presented to the media by NAKTAF chief Angelo Reyes during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo was Jose Mari Aguidan alias Jojo of Sitio Rizal, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

NAKTAF agents arrested Aguidan in an entrapment operation at a fastfood outlet as he was about to collect the P5 million ransom he and his group demanded from the trader.

According to Reyes, the trader initially received a text message from the kidnappers informing him of their plan to abduct him.

To avoid being abducted, the trader was instructed by the kidnappers to simply pay P5 million, which they said was the amount they would demand from his family.

After a series of negotiations through text messages, it was agreed upon that the "ransom" would be paid by the trader at the mall on Friday afternoon.

But unknown to the suspects, the trader sought the help of NAKTAF, which set-up an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of Aguidan.

The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation at NAKTAF headquarters for his possible links to a big-time syndicate that demands ransom from would-be victims.

Reyes also admitted a slight increase in abductions in the past few days, perpetrated by small-time kidnap groups. – Jaime Laude