Kidnappers allegedly mutilated the right pinky finger of a 14-year-old British School Manila (BSM) student after abducting him from the school’s Bonifacio Global City (BGC) campus in Taguig despite his family paying a $20-million ransom.
BSM has since reportedly confirmed the disappearance of their senior high school student, who was reportedly kidnapped along with their family driver, who was supposed to take the victim to school from McKinley East in BGC.
“We are working closely with the family and authorities to support the investigation. At this time, we do not have further details to share and kindly ask that you avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the family during difficult times,” BSM Head of School Martin van der Linde was quoted saying.
The victim was allegedly a resident of McKinley Hill in BGC and was abducted on February 20. He was reported missing the next day. Unverified reports claim that the Starex van he was riding was found in Bulacan and their driver was dead.
The Philippine National Police-Southern Police District (PNP-SPD) said investigation is ongoing and updates will be posted once investigators and operatives gain a lead in their probe of the kidnapping case.
“The investigation is still ongoing and (we) will immediately release an update on the progress of the investigation about the British school [kidnapping incident],” the PNP-SPD said in a text message to the Manila Standard.
Police, however, did not confirm the authenticity an alleged video of the kidnappers and a supposed photo of the victim with a bandage covered with duct tape on his right hand.
Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval also said they don’t have any information about this case, but are investigating the possible suspects, as well as claims that this abduction incident is related to a Philippine offshore gaming operation (POGO).
Aside from the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) also wants to know if there are any foreigners involved in this. Sandoval said they have assigned personnel helping with the investigation and are coordinating with the PNP, NBI, and the victim’s family.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian commented on the reported kidnapping, linking it to POGOs, which he found “very alarming.”
“Despite the President’s ban, POGO operations continue to infest our country, fueling crime and endangering our communities,” Gatchalian said in a statement posted on social media. “This brazen lawlessness must be crushed with absolute force.”
The senator urged law enforcement authorities to “relentlessly hunt down these remnants of POGO and obliterate their operations.”
“We need an ironclad, no-mercy crackdown to wipe out illegal POGOs once and for all and protect our people—especially our students—from their growing web of criminal activities,” Gatchalian said.