MANILA, Philippines – A student of an international school in Taguig City kidnapped last February 20 has been rescued by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Group of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

According to the PNP, the 14-year old Chinese teenager was left abandoned along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City on Tuesday (February 25) night. He was successfully rescued without paying any ransom money, said PNP Public Information Chief PCol. Randulf Tuaño. 

“Walang ransom po na ibinigay ang pamilya doon sa mga nag-abduct sa Chinese student (The family did not give any ransom to those who abducted the Chinese student),” Tuaño said. 

The boy was reportedly a Malaysian-Chinese student of a British school in Taguig City. He was being picked up by the family driver when he was abducted at around 3:45 pm on February 20. The next day, the driver was found dead in another vehicle by authorities  in San Rafael, Bulacan. 

The boy was brought to St. Luke’s hospital.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the abductors were initially asking for $20 million dollars and later brought it down to $1 million. 

Pinky finger cut 

Remulla said the kidnappers sent the parents a gruesome video of their child’s pinky finger being cut by scissors but they did not give in. 

Negotiations were continued after the video was sent and the parents asked for proof that their child was still alive. Another video was sent showing the boy’s right hand heavily bandaged. 

Family had POGO ties 

Tuano said a possible reason for the abduction was the supposed involvement of a family member in POGO. 

“Initially, ang isa sa miyembro ng pamilya ay dating involved sa business ng POGO kung saan ang pinag-usuapan po nila ay yung pagbabayad ng di mabayarang utang,” Tuaño said. 

“Base sa tinutumbok ng director ng AKG ito ay between Chinese at Chinese. Sa ngayon po, ongoing ang investigation,” he said. 

Remulla also echoed the same insight. 

“We suspect na ang biktima ay galing sa pamilya na nag-ooperate ng POGO dati,” Remulla said. 

“We are definitely sure na ang sindikato na nasa likod ng kidnapping ay former operators ng POGO din,” he said. 

Remulla said the victims and the suspects were all Chinese and that the case was simply a leftover effect of POGO operations. 

“So, this is not a Philippine enterprise. It’s a criminal gang that is an offshoot or remnants of a POGO operation here,” he said. 

As for other motives, Remulla said: “It’s just money. There’s no revenge. It’s really just a crime syndicate.”