30 Oct 2024 | 07:39 AM UTC
Philippines: Authorities arrest three suspects allegedly involved in abduction of South Korean national in Mabalacat, Clark Freeport Zone, as of Oct. 30
Police arrest three suspects in kidnapping of a South Korean national in Mabalacat, Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines, as of Oct. 30.
Authorities have arrested three suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a South Korean national in Barangay Mabiga, Mabalacat City, Clark Freeport Zone, as of Oct. 30. The victim is a long-term resident of Angeles City and was meeting someone to purchase a car, before three armed men kidnapped him on Camachiles Street at around 22:00 Oct. 24 and demanded a ransom from his family. Authorities arrested the assailants and rescued the abductee the next day. According to local media sources, police investigations found that the suspects were involved in a criminal syndicate; a manhunt is underway to arrest three other associates still at large. The kidnappers were allegedly responsible for the carjacking and kidnapping of two other South Korean nationals, who they released in Tarlac following ransom payment; further details on the incident are unavailable.
The threat of kidnapping in the Philippines remains high. Several organized crime syndicates that focus exclusively on kidnap-for-ransoms operate in and around the National Capital Region. Criminal groups typically target workers or customers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) companies, Chinese nationals, East and South Asian expatriates, short-term travelers, and members of the Chinese-Filipino business community and their families. Criminal abductions of Westerners are less common, though the threat remains. Authorities rescue most victims, or kidnappers release them unharmed relatively quickly after receiving a ransom payment.
