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The abduction of Ces Drilon and company turned out to be just one of
the only five recorded kidnap-for-ransom cases for the first
semester of 2008—the lowest total in 13 years, a Police Anti-Crime
and Emergency Response, Pacer, report showed Tuesday.
“For the first semester of the year, we
have experienced an all-time low in kidnapping-for-ransom statistics
since 1995 with only five cases all solved. Moreover, charges have
been filed against the perpetrators,” Pacer chief Leonardo Espina
said.
Based on the Pacer’s file, 29 cases have been
filed against suspected kidnappers and 15 other persons wanted for
various crimes were neutralized. From the said total, 21 were
convicted.
The latest arrests made include 10 of the 12
members of a notorious kidnap-for-ransom gang that kidnapped
Philippine National Bank vice president Ramon Murillo, and the group
of Chief Inspector Exequiel Cautiver for the kidnapping and murder
of Demy Canete and his driver Allan Garay in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
For his part, National police Chief Director
Gen. Avelino Razon underscored the crucial role being played by the
community in the anti-kidnapping drive, and urged the public to
remain vigilant against kidnapping groups.
“Apart from these, we would also need the full
cooperation of the kidnap victims’ families.
-- Jefferson Antiporda
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