Kidnapping for ransom (KFR) remains a danger throughout the country. Several militant groups see KFR as way to fund their operations, and foreigners are often targeted. Philippine National Police statistics state that in 2011 there were 24 kidnap for ransom (KFR) cases throughout the country, down from 41 in 2010. In these 24 cases, there were a total of 38 victims.
In December 2011, an American citizen escaped from his captors after being held in Basilan for over five months. He and several members of his family—to include his mother, who was released in the fall of 2011—were taken over the summer and held for ransom. Also in December, Philippine police stormed a kidnappers' hideout and rescued a four-year old American boy who was held for ransom for eight days. Five suspects were arrested in the second recent case of a kidnapped U.S. minor in the Philippines. In October 2011 three South Koreans were lured from their hotel in the trading city of Cagayan de Oro and reportedly taken to Lanao del Sur, a heavily forested province about 50 kilometers (30 miles) away.
While kidnappings occur throughout the country, the majority of cases in 2011 were concentrated in Mindanao and the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Thailand remains major centre for human trafficking
CHAIYAKORN BAI-NGERN, THACHAYAN WAHARAK SPECIAL TO THE NATION June 28, 2012 1:00 am
Many locals and job-seekers from neighbouring countries continue to be ensnared in the sex industry or trapped in slave labour despite the enactment of the Anti-Human-Trafficking Act in 2008, "Thailand is still a source, transit and destination in human trade," Yanee Lertkrai, inspector-general of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, said yesterday.
Several border provinces in the North and Northeast are the starting points. "The victims are sent from there to other provinces in Thailand and often to a third country," she said.
Today, the victims also come from nearby countries such as Laos, Myanmar and even China. Nukool Chinfuk of Hat Yai University's Political Science Faculty has conducted research on the problem and found that it is getting very serious in the South.
"Some gangs have brought Myanmar people to Ranong, from where some are sent to Samut Sakhon, while some others are sent to Thailand's lower Southern region, Malaysia and Singapore," he said.