In response to growing concerns over recent kidnappings, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro has urged the public to be vigilant about how they dispose of personal information. He highlighted the importance of shredding financial documents before discarding them, emphasizing that criminals are keenly interested in what is thrown away. Guevarro linked the rise in abductions to organized criminal syndicates identified during the State of Emergency (SoE) declared on July 18, which aimed to counteract a surge in serious crimes. He noted that these groups utilize various methods, including digital profiling and social media surveillance, to select victims based on perceived wealth and vulnerabilities.
Guevarro warned against oversharing on social media, as it can attract unwanted attention and make individuals targets for criminals. He pointed out that the threat is not entirely neutralized, with residual criminal cells still under investigation. Additionally, he cautioned that personal information could also be compromised through weak digital security, leading to hacks of social media accounts. The CoP reiterated the dangers of sharing sensitive information within personal networks, as it can inadvertently aid criminal activities. He urged community members to be mindful of their surroundings, reduce predictability in daily routines, and limit exposure of their lifestyles online. The police chief commended the ongoing efforts of law enforcement, noting that intelligence gathered has led to significant progress in dismantling criminal operations since the SoE was enacted.
