Abducted boy rescued; ex-POGO syndicate eyed

Authorities have identified the individuals behind the abduction of a 14-year-old Chinese national and are actively pursuing them, Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla assured the public on Wednesday.

“We know who they are. We know where they are operating from. We will find them. Justice will be served,” Remulla stated during a press briefing.

The victim, a senior high school student at the British School Manila (BSM), was rescued Tuesday evening in a hot pursuit operation in Parañaque City. Police traced the kidnappers’ cellphone signal, which led them to the location where the boy, wearing pajamas, was abandoned by his captors on the side of a road.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that no ransom was paid.

PNP Public Information Chief PCol. Randulf Tuaño confirmed the student was immediately reunited with his father and taken to the hospital for treatment. “The family did not pay any ransom,” Tuaño said.

Remulla explained that the victim was abandoned by the kidnappers during the pursuit.

“The boy was left by his abductors during a hot pursuit operation in the Parañaque area. The captors’ cell phone signal led us a few hundred meters to where they abandoned him,” Remulla said.

The victim, who was kidnapped on 20 February in Taguig City while on his way home from BSM, sustained injuries, including the severing of part of a finger by his captors. The family’s driver, who was reportedly set to leave for work abroad, remains missing, with some unverified reports suggesting he may have been killed.

Ex-POGO operators behind abduction

Remulla revealed that the syndicate responsible for the kidnapping is composed of former operators of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

“This is a result of POGO. We are certain the syndicate behind this kidnapping consists of former POGO operators,” he said.

The group allegedly uses former bodyguards, who are ex-members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), some of whom had gone AWOL (Absent Without Leave).

Remulla expressed confidence that the syndicate is still operating within the country, and authorities are working to neutralize them quickly.

“We will make sure that crimes like this will not pay, and that justice will be served to the victim’s family,” Remulla emphasized.

PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group Director Colonel Elmer Ragay confirmed that this syndicate has been involved in prior kidnappings across Metro Manila, Angeles City, Pampanga, and other parts of Northern Luzon.

“We are dealing with a former group involved in previous kidnapping incidents led by Chinese nationals. Some of their members were caught in 2003, but others are still at large,” Ragay said. The group primarily targets foreign nationals.

Remulla added that most of the kidnappings involve Chinese nationals targeting one another, with one case involving a Korean national. He also referred to a video from last year showing a Chinese man shot in a Makati restaurant, with the shooter now identified as a key suspect in the current case.

Earlier, Remulla disclosed that there have been eight kidnapping incidents in 2025, five of which have been solved, and three are still under investigation.

Money, not revenge, as the motive

Remulla clarified that the kidnappers’ motive is money, not revenge. “It’s just money, nothing personal. There’s no revenge involved, only crime syndicates,” he said.

He explained that the kidnappers target foreigners, particularly former POGO employees, who turned to kidnapping after POGOs were shut down. “This started in January after all the POGOs were closed. Those affected by it resorted to kidnapping,” Remulla added.

In 2024, 32 kidnapping cases were reported, with eight victims identified as Chinese nationals and former POGO employees.

Remulla confirmed that the PNP is fully aware of the syndicate’s operations and is preparing to intensify efforts to apprehend them. “We know the members. We have suspects, and we know where they live, their hideouts, and their safe houses. Expect intensified operations in the next few days,” he said.

Ragay clarified that while the group has primarily targeted former POGO employees, they are no longer affiliated with the industry. The syndicate operates in at least five separate groups.

Abduction motive and background

Authorities are investigating the possible motives behind the abduction, including allegations that the victim’s father had previous involvement with POGOs before becoming a “big-time e-seller.”

Sources close to the investigation suggested that the kidnappers may have targeted the family due to the father’s alleged connections to high-profile individuals within the POGO industry. This angle is still under investigation.

The victim’s father, who had previously worked in the POGO industry, reportedly became a successful e-seller in recent years, but authorities are looking into whether his past involvement made the family a target.

Remulla indicated that the investigation would explore all potential motives and leads, ensuring no stone is left unturned.