PNP urged to admit surge in kidnappings

MANILA, Philippines - An anti-crime watchdog yesterday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to admit the upsurge in kidnapping cases in the country this year.

Teresita Ang-See, founder of the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), said the PNP, particularly the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) should admit the present problem to be able to address it.

“We have to face that reality para ma-solve ang problem. The case of kidnapping is one too many,” said Ang-See.

The AKG leadership insisted that the MRPO statistics on kidnapping for ransom does not jive with the actual incidents handled by the anti-kidnapping unit of the PNP.

In a radio interview, Ang-See said the MRPO has been consistent on its stand on kidnapping wherein victims were taken against their will and ransoms were demanded, regardless if ransoms were paid.