The number of kidnappings on Chinese nationals has risen by 71 percent from 2018 to 2019, according to data from the Philippines National Police, reports Rappler.
There were 34 victims of kidnappings in 2018, a number which has shot up to 58 as of November 2019.
The increase has been linked to the flourishing of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) sector, which has seen thousands of Chinese workers flock to the country.
On Monday, a 28-year old Chinese woman, a POGO employee was kidnapped by three Chinese men - an incident that has been caught on video.
However, Malacañang on Tuesday said it is an isolated incident, quelling public fears of a resurgence of kidnappings in Metro Mani,.a.
“I think that particular incident is isolated. I have not heard of any kidnapping cases reported by the media or whether word of mouth except for the video that went viral,” said Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.
Panelo has urged people to be more vigilant in public places.
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