Kidnappings worry senators
Likewise, Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go also urged the PNP to end the proliferation of kidnappings, abductions, and other crimes in the country
Text size
Share
Daily TribuneLikewise, Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go also urged the PNP to end the proliferation of kidnappings, abductions, and other crimes in the country
Share
Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take immediate action on recent alleged reports of kidnapping and torture that have been making rounds online.
"Any directive from the President is policy and I think it will help so much if the President himself is on top of the situation to really address the matter immediately and to assert that peace and order situation under his leadership will be a top priority," Ejercito said in a press briefing at the Senate Monday.
He underscored that maintaining peace and order is an integral part of rebuilding the country's pandemic-battered economy.
He made the remarks after filing Senate Resolution 194, which seeks to direct the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs to conduct a probe on these "alarming" cases of kidnapping, abduction, and disappearances, especially those against women, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator workers, and Filipino-Chinese individuals.
"We filed a resolution of course to put an end or if not, if it is really true, for the authorities to take action because all the efforts of the administration to improve our tourism, to improve the business climate would be affected if these illegal activities and criminal activities of these syndicates continue in the country," he said.
Ejercito also floated the possibility that criminal syndicates might be "testing the water" under the current administration.
"Every time there's a new administration, they are probably testing the leadership. They are testing President BBM's administration, the new Philippine National Police. That is a possibility," he added.
On Monday, Senator Grace Poe also filed a separate resolution with the same purpose.
In Senate Resolution 195, Poe said that another kidnapping wave is creating a state of fear, anxiety, and vulnerability among Filipinos.
"Despite claiming that the crime situation is manageable, on 22 August 2022, the PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has already ordered a probe on the spate of abduction cases in the country," the resolution read.
"Aside from media reports, the number of abduction cases still cannot be ascertained as there are cases unreported to the proper authorities. The differences among abduction figures presented to the public cause undue and unnecessary anxiety and fear to our countrymen," it added.
Poe cited the case of the unresolved case of the recently circulating traffic video titled "kidnapping sa Skyway galing airport" where three unidentified vehicles are seen surrounding a white vehicle on an elevated highway and men are seen trying to open the cornered white vehicle.
Likewise, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go also urged the PNP to end the proliferation of kidnappings, abductions, and other crimes in the country.
Go also made a call to his government officials to encourage law enforcers to do their mandate.
"We should encourage them, we in the government should let our police know that we support them — the government supports them," he said.
"Maybe they should instill a bit of fear to stop these criminals," he added.
PNP taps Immigration
In a related development, the PNP will seek the help of the Bureau of Immigration to monitor foreigners working with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators to address the POGO-related kidnappings.
"Our police are struggling because we lack the records of the foreigners coming in our country to work in POGO companies. We really need to coordinate with Immigration so we would know who are the Chinese nationals coming in our country," said Azurin in a press briefing held at Camp Crame on Monday.
Azurin ordered the added deployment of cops in the vicinity of POGO establishments in the cities of Paranaque, Pasay and Makati.
The additional manpower sent to National Capital Region Police Office will be used to augment the Southern Police District deployment composed of 368 personnel performing three-shifts, eight-hour tours of duty.
For her part, PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said the police force is also coordinating with POGO officials to address the concern.
PAULA ANTOLIN AND GLEN JACOB JOSE
@tribunephl_phau
