PNP sets up satellite offices near casinos as kidnapping incidents spike

The Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) has set up satellite offices near gaming hubs in light of the increasing number of casino-related kidnappings.

"Meron na tayong ginagawang aksyon, nagkaroon na ho ng advance satellite office dito sa malapit sa casino establishments na ito, nag-deploy na rin tayo ng mga operatiba natin, mga intelligence inside the casino," PNP-AKG spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Elmer Cereno told reporters.

According to Cereno, police have already coordinated with casino supervisors as well as with the the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation regarding the matter.

Cereno said a total of 53 casino-related kidnapping incidents have been recorded from 2017. A total of 120 Chinese nationals, meanwhile, have been nabbed by authorities.

On Monday, a Chinese national was arrested after allegedly kidnapping his compatriot who had failed to pay his debt.

Authorities believe that kidnappers are supposedly letting those playing in the casino to borrow money from them. If they fail to pay, they will then be abducted and kidnappers will ask ransom money from the family of the victims. — MDM, GMA News