Authorities pounced on a group allegedly responsible for kidnapping at least 14 men to get money for its members' sex reassignment surgery. 

The group is composed of transwomen and their partners. Its leader, identified as a certain "Mikey," 24, and her 23-year-old male partner, were arrested in Zamboanga City. 

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the "Warla" criminal group has kidnapped foreign nationals from Asia, POGO employees, and business owners to get ransom money that its members can use for sex reassignment surgery in Thailand. 

They would allegedly hurt their victims so they can demand for money. After they get the money, they would leave their victims anywhere in Metro Manila.

Mikey and her partner will be brought back to Parañaque City from Zamboanga City to face charges for kidnap for ransom with serious illegal detention, which is a non-bailable offense.

“Base sa report, sinasaktan nila para i-force ang biktima na magbigay ng pera. After nila makuha ang pera, ibababa na lang nila kung saang lugar sa Metro Manila. Ibabalik namin sya kung saan nya ginawa ang krimen—sa Metro Manila, nakikipag-coordinate kami sa issuing court,” CIDG Regional Field Unit-9 Officer-in-Charge, Lt. Col. Romulo Dimaya Jr., said.

The group reportedly has 13 members, all transwomen and their partners. Five of them remain at large.

CIDG said the group started its operation in 2018. By 2022, at least 14 men fell victim and the group was able to accumulate P4.2 million.

Mikey refused to comment.