PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. yesterday lauded officers and men of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group headed by Brigadier Gen. Rodolfo D. Castil Jr. for a job well done in fighting kidnapping-for-ransom gangs in the country amid the new normal.

“The impressive significant accomplishments of the PNP-AKG is something that the PNP organization is proud off. You stood up and showed to the community that they can count on us always,” the top cop said during the 11th founding anniversary of the unit at Camp Crame.

In 2022, the PNP-AKG rescued 59 kidnapping-for-ransom victims and arrested 24 kidnappers apart from neutralizing nine armed suspects during gunfights. Twelve of the arrested suspects were known as “traditional KFR group members” while 12 were found to be involved in POGO-related kidnappings.

Last year also saw the PNP-AKG filing a total of 41 KFR cases before the court: 22 of them Traditional KFR cases; 18 POGO-related KFR and one a casino-related kidnapping.

Also a former anti-kidnapping officer from the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force headed by former PNP chief and Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, the official said he knows how it feels to be a member of the group.

He said once a kidnapping group strikes, PNP-AKG officers and men would rise from their bed, forget they are on an official vacation and leave their loved ones just to make sure they would be able to rescue the victim alive and get his/her kidnappers.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr. also commended the PNP-AKG for their feat.

“This year, as you celebrate another year of success, we challenge and encourage you to continue buckling up, strive harder and always choose to do the right thing and uphold the core values of being a law enforcer especially in your anti-kidnapping operations,” the DILG chief said.

Gen. Azurin, joined by former PNP-AKG directors, retired Police Major Gen. Isagani R. Nerez, now the presidential assistant on police affairs and retired Brig. Gen. Renato Gumban and Brig. Gen. Castil handed out plaques of appreciation to outstanding PNP-AKG personnel and other stakeholders during the event.

The top awardees were Lieutenant Colonels Lee Allen B. Bauding, Regina N. Basco and Lowelber L. Ceralvo, Captain Benito P. Peralta Jr., Major Mark Anthony D. Sarno, Maj. Wilbert C. Padngaran Jr. and Lt. Zosimo C. Ravanes Jr.

Others are Police Executive Master Sergeant Jackson A. Olya-on, Staff Sgt. Jayson A. Cabradilla, SSgt. Marianne B. Luyun, Master Sgt. Noel B. Raquem, PEMS Franco C. Aguilar, MSgt. Clint William S. Ferrer Jr., MSgt. Marian M. Barbosa, Patrolwoman Angelia A. Alo, MSgt. Marcelo P. Talidtid Jr. and PEMS Bonifacio L. Musil.

Stakeholders and civilian awardees wer the following: Colonel Renato B. Ocampo, Army Maj. Anthony Bongbong A. Albuera, Department of Justice Prosecutor General Benedictor A. Malcontento, Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order chairman Melvin Dy and the PNP-AKG Advisory Group chaired by Professor Liana M. Barro with members, Architect Ka Kuen Chua, DOJ Prosecutors Olivia L. Torrevillas and Ma. Lourdes C. Uy, Mr. Dennis P. Hipolito and Ms. Cecily M. Chua Lim.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon