Malacañang on Monday rejected calls for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to deploy the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) in response to alleged rising kidnapping cases, stating there is no widespread “kidnapping spree” in the country.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed the claims as misinformation, saying, “Wala naman pong widespread, katulad ng pinapakalat ng iba, na may widespread, kidnapping spree in the country. Hindi po ‘yan totoo. Malaking fake news ‘yan.”
The Palace emphasized that law enforcement agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP), remain capable of addressing such cases without the need for military intelligence support.
The statements came after the recent kidnapping and killing of businessman Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo. Three suspects in the double murder are now in the custody of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil also refuted claims of rising kidnap-for-ransom cases targeting Chinese-Filipinos, describing the incidents as “isolated, calculated acts rooted in personal and financial vendettas.”
“The situation is firmly under control. Our law enforcement strategies are effective. Criminal networks are being taken down,” Marbil assured.