In Dazhi City, a 14-year-old Chinese student from a private school was kidnapped, leading to a new twist in the case. The Chief of Police in the Philippines, General Mabil, has ordered the dismissal of the head of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), Elmer Lagai, due to "negative news reports and social media questioning the authenticity of the AKG's rescue operation."
Update: Kidnappers were located using the murdered driver's mobile phone data, and the kidnapped boy was found through technical tracking
Previously, the police announced that on the evening of February 25, the Philippine National Police successfully rescued the Chinese boy kidnapped on February 20 in Parañaque City, describing it as an "active" and "technology-based" operation.
Earlier, the Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla stated that the rescue team used communication technology to locate the kidnappers and ultimately rescued the boy who was kidnapped after a school event on February 20. Initially, the police found the driver who disappeared with the boy. The communication records on the driver's mobile phone with the kidnappers helped the police pinpoint the suspects and subsequently initiate tracking. According to the police investigation, the driver was suspected to be in collusion with the kidnappers. The driver was found dead, and his body was in a car abandoned in Bulacan.
Questioning: Are the police making up stories?
However, shortly thereafter, rumors began to circulate on social media that the boy was actually taken to the location where he was abandoned by his uncle. It is claimed that it was the uncle who drove the boy to St. Luke's Hospital in BGC.
Consequently, netizens began to question the authenticity of the Philippine National Police's statements about the rescue of the kidnapped boy. Some asked: Was the boy really rescued by the Philippine police's Anti-Kidnapping Squad? Are the police fabricating rescue stories?
Moreover, it was also mentioned that, according to previous statements from the kidnapped individuals and their families, several people wearing PNP uniforms appeared at the initial scene of the kidnapping. The authorities had also confirmed that some of the individuals involved were former police officers and soldiers. In response to the rumors, the Chief of Police, General Mabil, ordered an investigation into the matter and, according to the agreement, dismissed Colonel Elmer Lagai, the head of AKG. Mabil emphasized the need for a thorough review to address the growing public scrutiny and ensure complete transparency. He stated, "This review is intended to clarify the details of the incident and strengthen public trust in the Philippine National Police."
General Mabil added, "We assure the public that the investigation will be thorough, and if any negligence is found, we will hold those responsible accountable, while also protecting the integrity of legitimate police operations," Mabil also promised that the Philippine police would cooperate with the Senate investigation scheduled for next week.
Key details of the kidnapping case: The mastermind is the main culprit in last year's hotpot restaurant shooting, and the kidnapped boy confirmed "kidnappers killed the driver"
Previously, the authorities had reported that the mastermind behind the kidnapping was "Baolong," the main culprit in last year's hotpot restaurant shooting. The driver was in cahoots with the kidnappers, as evidenced by the call records on his mobile phone with the kidnappers. As for why he was killed, it does not rule out the possibility of "black eating black" and the suspicion of silencing him.
Additionally, the kidnapped boy had previously provided a key clue through his mother about the kidnappers killing the driver: during the kidnapping, the kidnappers showed him pictures of them slaughtering the driver, further confirming the key clue of the kidnappers killing the driver and the undeniable fact of the kidnappers' extreme brutality.
