PNP disputes report saying Chinese wasn’t rescued and ransom was paid
Police say they found a missing 14-year-old Chinese (middle) along Macapagal Avenue in Parañaque City on Tuesday evening, Feb. 25, 2025. (Photo from PNP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) disputed a story which alleged that an abducted 14-year-old Chinese was not rescued by the police force, and that a ransom was actually paid in exchange for the victim’s freedom.
According to the report, a confidential source said the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) reportedly “fetched” the Chinese teenager from a private residence in Parañaque City.
And then, a $1-million ransom was allegedly paid by an unnamed businessman who had links with the victim’s family.
The claims contradicted the PNP’s official statement and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s report about the case which they expressed at a Palace briefing last Wednesday.
Article continues after this advertisementPNP and Remulla had said the minor was found along Macapagal Avenue in the evening of February 25.
Article continues after this advertisement“[W]e will stand by the statement made by our SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) that it was a rescue operation and no ransom was paid,” PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a briefing in Camp Crame on Tuesday.
“That word of our SILG will suffice to belie all these rumors,” Fajardo maintained.
READ: PNP nullifies order to sack anti-kidnap chief due to poll-related rule
Last Saturday, the PNP administratively relieved AKG Director Col. Elmer Ragay pending investigation on the case of the Chinese teen.
It cited as reason the “adverse news reports and viral social media discussions questioning the legitimacy” of the operation.
Then, in another directive on Monday, the PNP voided the administrative relief order against Ragay.
This time, it based the nullification to a Commission on Elections’ rule that bars the transfer of the police personnel during the election period.
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Amid these actions, Fajardo said an investigation into the alleged anomalies involving the operation is still underway with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
“[W]e are just making sure na wala ngang na-violate na any rules or policy yung mga nag-operate . That’s why the Chief PNP ordered for an investigation,” Fajardo said.
(We are just making sure that no rules or policy were violated by those who were in the operation.)
