Manila (25 October) -- Alarmed by reports that kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) syndicates are back in business, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) today to intensify its campaign to weed out kidnapping in the country.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the President issued the directive in response to published reports that 71 Filipino-Chinese have been victimized by the KFR gangs since January this year.

In a regular press briefing, Bunye said the fight against kidnapping is still among the top priorities of the President and she wants the law enforcement agencies to revive and intensify the drive to minimize if not totally stamp out the menace.

"The fight against kidnapping for ransom is still a top priority of the President, and the PNP and other law enforcement agencies are now directed to intensify their drive against kidnapping," he said.

Bunye's remarks came on the heels of Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos's pronouncements quoting an October 2006 report of the Citizens Actions Against Crime and the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order that this year alone, a total of 71 Tsinoys have been victims of kidnapping involving P614 million ransom demands, P23.2 million of which was paid by the victims to their abductors.

Bunye urged all sectors of society to be more vigilant and extend their cooperation and coordination with the authorities by providing information and in resolving any kidnapping case.