A South Korean national was released on Monday three days after being abducted by armed men in Batangas.
The kidnapping took place on 2 May when the victim, along with two Chinese nationals and two Filipinos, was traveling to Nasugbu for a fishing trip. They were taken by a group of seven to 10 armed individuals.
Authorities began investigating after one of the Filipinos managed to escape and alert the police, which led to the intervention of the South Korean Embassy which coordinated with local law enforcement.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs activated its Overseas Koreans Protection Task Force to expedite the resolution of the incident.
At this stage, police are still looking into the kidnappers’ identities and the motive behind the abduction.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its national was in good condition but it would not release more personal details.
It has advised travelers to the Philippines to exercise caution, especially in poorly lit and deserted areas, and to take safe transportation.
There has been a broad rise in abductions in the Philippines, especially targeting foreign nationals and the Chinese-Filipino community.
Dr. Cecilio Pedro, former president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., voiced concerns about the alarming trend. He noted that 12 kidnapping cases had been reported so far in 2025, with most victims being Chinese nationals.
He noted that local businessmen were increasingly becoming targets.
The kidnapping and murder of businessman Anson Que in March has drawn attention to the issue.
Despite paying ransom, Que was found dead in Rizal province, highlighting the violent nature of some of these crimes.
The Philippine National Police has raised the reward for information leading to the arrest of one of the masterminds in the Que case, Chinese national Wenli Gong, to P10 million.
The Philippines has a long history of kidnapping-for-ransom incidents.
Dr. Pedro has called for stronger measures to address the problem, including the reinstatement of the death penalty for kidnappers. He highlighted China’s strict anti-kidnapping laws as an example, stressing that fear of harsh punishment has helped prevent such crimes there.
As concerns about safety continue to rise, authorities are also working to improve the judicial process to ensure that rescued victims are able to testify without fear.