NBC News · updated 2026-07-13

Segment shifts from U.S. murder case sentencing to an international crime narrative centered in the Philippines, introducing a kidnapping-ransom-extortion case involving threats to a victim's family and law enforcement. A woman interviewee recounts receiving ransom calls from an individual claiming identity 'Mr. Soh' with explicit threats of murder.

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“Segment shifts from U.S. murder case sentencing to an international crime narrative centered in the Philippines, introducing a kidnapping-ransom-extortion case involving threats to a victim's family and law enforcement. A woman interviewee recounts receiving ransom calls from an individual claiming identity 'Mr. Soh' with explicit threats of murder.”

covered 2026-07-13 ▶ Be on the air with NBC News

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The Philippines has long battled kidnap-for-ransom criminal networks

Kidnap-for-ransom gangs have plagued the Philippines for decades, targeting locals and foreigners. Learn more at Wikipedia

Topic poll · all networksWhat max prison term does 2nd-degree conspiracy typically carry?

  1. 1 year
  2. 4 years
  3. 7 years
  4. 15 years
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4 years

The Philippines formed a dedicated Anti-Kidnapping police unit in 1993.

The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group was created after the Philippines became one of the world's top kidnapping-for-ransom hotspots, with hundreds of cases annually targeting business owners, Chinese-Filipino families, and foreigners.

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