AMID a major reduction in kidnapping-for-ransom cases, Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) director Brigadier General Rodolfo D. Castil Jr. yesterday said they are further intensifying their efforts to hunt down most wanted kidnappers.

In a report to PNP chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr., the PNP-AKG director said that from January to June this year, kidnapping cases went down by around 45 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

At least 12 kidnapping incidents were reported during the first six months of the year compared to the 22 cases during the same period in 2022.

Of the 12 incidents, 10 were ‘kidnapping-for-ransom’ while two were casino-related.

In 2022, the PNP-AKG investigated 41 reported kidnapping incidents, including 18 which were found to have originated in POGO hubs.

A number of arrests have been made as a result of the continuing PNP-AKG investigations which led to the identification of several Chinese, Malaysians and South Koreans as suspects.

So far this year, PNP-AKG operatives were able to put to jail leaders and members of notorious KFR gangs in the country as a result of relentless pursuit against these enemies of the people.

On Wednesday last week, the Unit smashed a gang of notorious kidnappers operating in Metro Manila and its nearby regions following a series of operations which led to the arrest of the ring leader and four of his members.

The PNP-AKG director said that the arrested members of the Madriaga Kidnapping-for-Ransom Group were wanted for a string of kidnapping activities in the metropolis and Calabarzon over the past few years.

They were also believed to be among the kidnappers who escaped arrest during a June 14, 2022 anti-kidnapping operation in Pililla, Rizal which led to the death of a young PNP-AKG agent, Patrolman Joshua Lingayo of Lubuagan, Kalinga.

The gunbattle erupted as PNP-AKG officers were conducting a follow-up operation to capture the kidnappers who seized two Filipino-Chinese in front of their residence in Tondo, Manila on June 3, 2022.

Castil said that Ramil Lagonoy Madriaga, the leader of the Madriaga KFR Gang was arrested in front of SM East in Cainta, Rizal last Wednesday. Madriaga is 5th in the list of Most Wanted Kidnappers in the country.

Madriaga’s address is listed as Block 2, Lot 1, Saint Joseph, Villa Stella, San Andres, Cainta, Rizal.

He and a 2nd suspect, Jaime Patano, 53, a plumber residing in Brooksie, Zone V, San Roque, Iriga City, were arrested in front of SM East in Cainta.

The three other suspects arrested were Ervyn Garcia Bernados, a 32, of San Andres, Cainta; Ronald Romarate Alivio, 44, of Block 5, Lot 21 Saint Andrew Street in Villa Stella 2, also in San Andres, Cainta; and Richard

“The Madriaga Kidnapping-for-Ransom Group is one of the most dangerous syndicates in recent history and had been under investigation for several months,” said the PNP-AKG director.

He said that the suspects were known for their brazen acts of violence and their involvement in a series of heinous crimes across the region.

Brig. Gen. Castil expressed confidence that the arrest of the five suspects is a major blow to the organization and will significantly disrupt the operations of kidnapping gangs in the country.

Gen. Acorda and Castil commended the officers and men of the PNP-AKG Intelligence Research and Analysis Division, the AKG Special Operations Group and the AKG Luzon Field Unit who were behind the arrest of the five.

All the five are now in the custody of the PNP-AKG and currently detained in Camp Crame prior to their presentation to court for issuance of an official jail commitment order.

Also arrested this month was Magdalino Pacia, an ex-cop-turned leader of a kidnap-for-ransom gang.

Pacia, of Purok Rosas, Barangay Tangob in Padre Garcia, Quezon, was the 5th in the most wanted list of the PNP-AKG prior to his arrest.

Members of the PNP-AKG got ample help from the Tanauan City Police Station, the Laguna Highway Patrol Team and the Philippine Air Force in arresting the suspect.

Castil said that the suspect is the subject of a warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with homicide issued by Judge Gidget Rose Duque of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 119. No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused.

PNP-AKG records showed that the ex-cop has been tagged as the leader of the Pacia Kidnapping-for-Ransom Group operating in Metro Manila and Calabarzon. Its victims were mostly Chinese.

“This arrest sends a clear message that no criminal, no matter how elusive, can evade justice forever. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” he said.

The suspect is now detained at the PNP-AKG facility in Camp Crame.

Last January, PNP-AKG agents also captured Paquito Diaz Gabad, alias ‘Buddha,’ the 5th most wanted kidnapper in the country, during an operation in Valenzuela City.

Judge Rommel Odronia of the Quezon City RTC Branch 92 recommended no bail for the temporary liberty of Buddha, who was tagged as among the kidnappers of a young Filipino-Chinese businessman in Quezon City on December 31, 2000.