Police launched a manhunt against the group who kidnapped a 14-year-od foreign student of an exclusive school in Taguig City following his rescue in Parañaque City on Tuesday night, Feb. 25.
In a Facebook post, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla confirmed that the boy had had a part of his right little finger severed.
“We regret to inform that the child suffered a severed part of his right little finger. He is currently being examined in an undisclosed hospital,” said Remulla.
He said the Chinese student, who was kidnapped on Feb. 20 in Taguig City, was abandoned by his abductors on Macapagal Avenue in Parañaque City during a hot pursuit operation.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the boy was already reunited with his father after he was located by joint police and military forces on Tuesday night or five days after his reported abduction.
Remulla and Marbil also emphasized that there was no ransom paid in the release of the victim.
“The cell phone signal of the captors were a few hundred meters away when they found the boy wearing pajamas in the side of the road. The boy was recovered but the signal of the phone disappeared.,” said Remulla.
“We know who they are. We know where they are operating from. We will find them. Justice will be served,” he added.
Based on the report from the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), the minor was reported missing after he did not arrive home from a school activity on Feb, 20.
Marbil said the kidnapping appeared to have been motivated by past operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
Citing intelligence reports of the AKG, a family member of the missing student was previously involved in the POGO industry and high-stakes e-commerce dealings.
This information, according to Mabil, suggested that business-related conflicts was the reason behind the kidnapping. (Aaron Recuenco, Chito Chavez)
