Davao is a city of nearly 1.5 million people and often shares the same criminal problems that other large cities face. Thefts and holds up happen, even though I have yet to see one (and hope to keep it that way). However, a high-profile story in the Philippines ended today in Davao City.
The background: last Friday, a businesswoman from Manila was taken by a kidnap-for-ransom syndicate and forced to pay P15 million (about $375,000) to her captors. She convinced them to withdraw the money in Davao instead of Manila. The group of 14 captors and the single victim made the trek to Davao where they were met by special police task forces at the bank.
In a fire fight with with the police, three suspects were killed and one taken into custody. The other 10 or so escaped the scene. Here is a link to an official news story on the situation. (Notice that they do not refrain from including images of dead bodies in the article).
Luckily, the businesswoman was rescued by the police. However, the 10 at-large suspects created a lot of commotion in the city. Noticeably on the job site, too. Our security detail was on high alert all afternoon even though shootout took place at least an hour's drive from our job site and our apartments. Driving home, our convoy of vans and SUVs traveled more cautiously and we had to pass through several police traveling checkpoints. However, I sit safely in my room typing this post as if it was just like any other night.
Kidnappings are more common in the Philippines than back in the States, but Black & Veatch has taken the precautions to ensure our safety. Not once have I felt unsafe in Davao, and with the protective agents that we have, even today didn't make me feel uncomfortable.
Kidnapping is just another problem that the Philippines faces and the government is working hard to eliminate it. It is not a reputation that they are proud of and I think the lethality of responding police units shows how seriously they take the matter.
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