3 Chinese tourists, 1 Malaysian, kidnapped for ransom by Philippines police

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the kidnapping of Chinese and Malaysian tourists in the Philippines by police officers for ransom.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Kidnapping of Chinese and Malaysian Tourists

1. What happened to the Chinese and Malaysian tourists?

• 2 police officers on motorcycles flagged down a luxury car carrying 3 Chinese and 1 Malaysian
• Their armed civilian cohorts then handcuffed and dragged the 4 tourists into a van
• 2 of the Chinese tourists managed to escape and notify authorities
• The remaining captives were beaten by the kidnappers but freed overnight after a 2.5 million peso (US$43,100) ransom was paid

2. What actions were taken by the authorities?

• 4 police officers, including a police major, were arrested for the kidnapping
• Police said they are looking for at least 10 other non-police suspects involved in the kidnapping
• Criminal complaints for kidnapping, carjacking and robbery were filed against the suspects

3. What is the significance of this incident?

• The involvement of police officers in the kidnapping is seen as a "serious breach of public trust and core values of the police force"
• This incident highlights the issue of corruption and criminal activities within the Philippine National Police, which former President Duterte had described as "rotten to the core"

[02] Broader Context

1. What is the broader context surrounding this incident?

• The Philippine National Police has faced criticism for the large-scale killings during Duterte's anti-drug crackdown, which the International Criminal Court is investigating as a possible crime against humanity
• Duterte and the police chiefs under his administration had denied authorizing extrajudicial killings, although Duterte had publicly threatened drug suspects with death

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