The recent resurgence of kidnap-for-ransom cases in the Philippines may have far-reaching economic consequences, an anti-crime advocacy group warned Monday, urging swift and coordinated action from the government.
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), dozens of kidnapping cases have been recorded in recent months, with several involving Chinese nationals as victims.
Public alarm intensified following the high-profile kidnapping and murder of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que, whose body was found in Rodriguez, Rizal.
“Kidnappings are not only personal tragedies for the victims and their families—they also deal a direct blow to our economic future,” said Arsenio Evangelista, president of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), in an interview with ANC.
He warned that deteriorating peace and order could trigger capital flight among business owners, further harming the country’s investment climate. “When peace and order is down, there will be capital flight amongst businessmen,” he said.
Evangelista also emphasized the importance of restoring trust in the Philippines as a safe destination, especially given the country’s reliance on tourism.
His remarks came after the Chinese Embassy issued a public advisory, citing “unstable public security” and increasing reports of Chinese nationals being “frequently interrogated and harassed” by local authorities.
In response to the growing concern, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the formation of an inter-agency task force composed of the DOJ, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the PNP.
The move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to address the surge in kidnapping cases. “The creation of a task force is paramount,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a press briefing. “We have to choose people who exemplify the values of integrity and leadership in law enforcement. This is not a show-off, but a genuine effort to resolve problems more quickly.”
Remulla added that hotlines would soon be made available for reporting kidnapping-related concerns and that while the task force will be operational by Holy Week, it will be fully up and running in the following weeks. With Pot Chavez