The Philippine National Police (PNP) is validating reports that some local politicians have gotten involved with kidnap-for-ransom groups to raise funds for the upcoming elections. PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the PNP had intelligence reports regarding this in Mindanao, particularly in areas where kidnapping gangs were known to operate. ADVERTISEMENT“We are continuously validating reports of the active collusion of some local politicians with organized crime groups engaged in kidnapping-for-ransom,” he said in a press briefing Monday. READ: PNP verifying politicians’ links to armed groups – AlbayaldeHe said validating the reports would be difficult and dangerous especially as the 2019 elections drew near. He said the PNP would investigate if any local politicians were linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which is notorious for kidnapping.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 26, 2018 04:41 UTC