Philippine police recently claimed to have successfully rescued a 14-year-old Chinese student from a kidnapping case. However, the latest news reveals that this "rescue operation" was not a successful rescue as described by the police, but a transaction involving the payment of a $1 million ransom for the release of the hostage, causing public uproar.
According to insiders from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the victim was not rescued through police action, but was released after a businessman related to his family paid a substantial ransom.
An unpublished report by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police suggests that the so-called "rescue operation" was likely just a well-orchestrated act. The report cites the affidavit of the former head of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), Col. Elmer Ragay, who has been dismissed, indicating that the police did not rescue the hostage on February 25 on Macapagal Avenue as officially claimed, but rather took charge of picking up the hostage from a residence in Parañaque after he was released early, and returned him to his family.
The report states: "The victim was not rescued by the police on February 25, but was released early by the kidnappers after receiving the ransom, and the police merely went to 'pick up' the person from the street."
Adding to the confusion, that evening a government official, two police generals, and the chief of the Taguig City police station appeared at a residence in Marina Bay East, further raising suspicions about whether senior officials were trying to cover up the truth.
The incident occurred on February 21, when the victim was kidnapped along with his driver in a black Toyota Alphard while returning home from school. The kidnappers later abandoned the vehicle in San Rafael, Bulacan, but it was empty.
At 1:35 AM the next day, the kidnappers sent a ransom message to the family via a messaging app, demanding a ransom of up to $20 million and severing the victim's right little finger as a threat. After several negotiations, the ransom amount was reduced to $250,000, but ultimately, an unidentified businessman paid $1 million for the safe release of the hostage.
The police initially announced that the student was rescued on February 25 near the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, but no suspects were arrested, raising doubts from the public.
On February 26, Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla held a press conference at the presidential palace, attempting to explain the details of the case to the public. However, inconsistencies in the police statements failed to calm public opinion and deepened concerns about a cover-up.
Due to public pressure, the Senate was scheduled to hold a hearing on this case on March 3, but it was postponed due to the absence of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, due to campaign commitments. This decision once again raised doubts about the transparency of the Philippine judiciary.
Currently, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, the chief of the Philippine National Police, has ordered an internal investigation into the case and has dismissed the head of the Anti-Kidnapping Group, Col. Ragay, while three police generals are also under review.
Sources reveal that Marbil was angry and shocked after discovering inconsistencies in the "rescue" operation. "He realized that the operation was a complete sham—he felt deceived."
The truth behind this kidnapping case has not yet fully emerged, but whether the police covered up the facts, the details of the ransom payment, and the identity of the kidnappers have become focal points of concern in Philippine society.
