Ateneo confirms student’s kidnap

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) has confirmed that a student was kidnapped from its Quezon City campus last month.

In a statement posted on its website, ADMU said the student was taken at around 6 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the north car pack of the campus along Katipunan Avenue.

The university said the student was released “unharmed” and without any ransom paid.

“By God’s grace, our student has returned to the campus and now attends classes,” said a Nov. 29 statement by ADMU vice president Fr. Nemesio Que.

Sources said the student, a 20-year-old woman, went to school to submit requirements. Her family reportedly received a call from someone claiming to be a professor and demanding P50,000.

The family again received another call, demanding money worth P250,000. It was at this point when the family reported the matter to the police.

Since there was a ransom demand, the case was referred to the Anti-Kidnapping Group.

In its statement, ADMU said it is installing more lights and deploying more guards in its parking areas, enforcing stricter rules on the entry and exit of people and closing alternate entry points around the campus.