It's serious business. Kidnapped Some prominent kidnappings over past few years. Abductee Ignacio Ong Jr. killed in shootout between kidnappers and police, south of Manila.
Pressure grows on police to stamp out ransom gangs.
Taiwanese politician Lin Ti-chuan dies after being kidnapped during a trip to China. They are sold to a larger Muslim group, which then releases them. This isn't just a Philippine problem. There are things the savvy traveler can do, however, to protect himself. Getting the lowdown on where not to go can save a lot of trouble, says Thomas Kane, managing director of Pinkerton Consulting Services in the Philippines.