Show results in solving kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) cases, and do it with integrity and consistency.
This was the formula put forth Thursday by former Senator and Philippine National Police chief and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson for law enforcers to regain the public’s trust amid a recent spate of KFR incidents.
Lacson, who solved several KFR cases as head of the then Presidential Anti-Crime Commission Task Force Habagat, said it is up to the PNP to work hard and intensify its intelligence and investigative capabilities to catch the kidnappers and bring them to justice.
“Our police should show results. Otherwise, future victims will be more afraid, thinking about what happened to the last victim. The fear factor is very important, as is the trust of the community and potential victims in our authorities,” he said in Filipino, in an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel.
Related: Ping Lacson sa PNP: Integrity, Consistency Susi sa Paglutas ng Kidnap Cases at Makuha Uli ang Tiwala ng Publiko
He added integrity and consistency are very important, and authorities must not make exceptions to the rule when doing their jobs – especially now that they are better technical equipment to deal with kidnappers.
“During my time, we had to climb high trees or water tanks – I myself had to climb a water tank to triangulate the kidnappers’ location. Our modern counterparts are better equipped today, but if they don’t put that equipment to good use, nothing will happen,” he said.
Also, Lacson would decline offers of rewards from families of rescued kidnap victims, so his men would not be tempted to be selective on who to help.
Lacson also warned that unless authorities show results soon, kidnappers would be encouraged to continue their act, exploiting victims’ fear of reporting or cooperating with authorities.
Worse, he said foreign governments – including China – may come up with travel advice for their citizens cautioning against kidnappings, since Chinese Filipinos are victims of recent KFR incidents.
Lacson said the PNP should first ensure continuity in the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) by assigning an officer with enough experience in anti-crime activities as head, then assigning someone as his/her understudy who can replace him/her upon promotion or reassignment.
Secondly, he said the PNP must act against rogue members by making its Internal Affairs Service (IAS) independent as he cited information that some former and active policemen act as unauthorized bodyguards of those involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) who are involved in kidnapping, though the motive is for the victims to pay casino debts.
Thirdly, he advised the PNP and the authorities concerned to practice “secrecy discipline” and not telegraph information to the public as this may tip off the kidnappers.
“Once you arrest all those involved, you can hold a press conference to show the PNP’s achievement and to gain public trust. But before the solution, refrain from making anything public lest you tip off the kidnappers too,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lacson advised victims or their families to coordinate with authorities – if not directly, then through non-government organizations like the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), which was founded in the 1990s. The MRPO’s members are former kidnap victims who can empathize and help them coordinate with authorities.
The MRPO, founded and organized by civic leader Teresita Ang-See, played a key role in the cooperation of KFR victims and their families with authorities. Lacson and the PACC Task Force Habagat, Task Force Alpha, and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) solved several KFR cases with the timely help of the MRPO.
“Their passion and advocacy is to fight crime and KFR gangs. Their dedication is admirable, and they know how to deal with kidnappers especially during negotiations,” Lacson said.
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Ping Lacson sa PNP: Integrity, Consistency Susi sa Paglutas ng Kidnap Cases at Makuha Uli ang Tiwala ng Publiko
Magpakita ng resulta sa paglutas ng mga kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) cases, na may integrity at consistency.
Ito ang formula ni dating Senador at Philippine National Police chief at ngayo’y 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson para sa awtoridad, upang makuha muli ang tiwala ng publiko sa gitna ng mga insidenteng KFR.
Ani Lacson, na lumutas ng maraming kasong KFR bilang hepe ng Presidential Anti-Crime Commission Task Force Habagat, dapat magpursigi ang PNP at paigtingin ang intelligence at investigative capabilities nito para hulihin ang mga kidnappers.
“Dapat ipakita ng pulis na may ginagawa sila. Otherwise, future victims will be more afraid, imagine what happened to the last victim. Ang fear factor importante, and trust ng community or potential victims sa pulis napakaimportante,” aniya sa panayam sa Bilyonaryo News Channel.
Importante rin aniya ang integridad at pagkakapare-pareho, at dapat iwasan ang mga “exceptions to the rule” lalo na ngayo’y mas maganda na ang technical equipment nila kumpara sa panahon niya.
“(During my time), we had to climb high trees or even water tanks. I experienced umakyat sa water tank. We were able to triangulate the location. Ngayon modern na ang technology. They are more equipped now than before… Alam kong meron silang capability. But if not put into good use, useless din. Kung tamad ang nag-enforce, no matter how sophisticated the equipment, wala rin,” ayon kay Lacson.
Noong panahon din niya, tatanggihan ni Lacson ang gantimpala mula sa pamilya ng mga na-rescue na kidnap victims, para hindi sila mamili ng biktimang tutulungin.
Babala ni Lacson, kung hindi umaksyon ang awtoridad sa lalong madaling panahon, maeenganyo ang kidnappers dahil alam nilang lalong matatakot ang mga biktima na mag-report o makipagugnayan sa awtoridad.
Ang masama pa, aniya, maaaring maglabas ng travel advice ang ibang bansa kabilang ang Tsina na may babala sa kidnappings – kung saan mga Tsinoy ang biktima ng ilang KFR incidents.
Para sa PNP, iginiit ni Lacson na ang una nitong dapat gawin ay tiyakin ang continuity sa Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) sa pamamagitan ng pagtakda ng opisyal na may karanasan laban sa krimen bilang hepe – at pag-assign ng “understudy” na maaaring pumalit sa kanya sa oras na ma-promote o ma-reassign siya.
Ang pangalawang dapat nitong gawin ay tanggalin ang mga tiwaling miyembro nito sa pamamagitan ng pagtiyak na independent ang Internal Affairs Service (IAS) nito. Binanggit ni Lacson ang impormasyon na may datihan at aktibong pulis ang nagiging bodyguards ng mga sangkot sa Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) – at gumagawa ng kidnapping para bayaran ng biktima ang “casino debts” nila.
Pangatlo, pinayuhan ni Lacson ang PNP at ibang awtoridad na ugaliin ang “secrecy discipline” para hindi mabuking ang sariling galaw sa publiko – at sa mismong kidnappers.
“Kung nahuli na ang lahat, i-presscon mo at pakita mo what the PNP has done para ma-gain ang trust. But before the solution of the cases, huwag muna. Tiis muna maski maganda ang lead, importante ang utmost secrecy di ma-telegraph sa kidnappers na meron kayong leads,” aniya.
Samantala, nag-apela naman si Lacson sa biktima at pamilya nila na makipagugnayan sa awtoridad – kung hindi direkta ay sa pamamagitan ng non-government organizations tulad ng Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), na tinayo noong 1990s. Mga dating biktima ng KFR ang miyembro ng MRPO.
Ang MRPO, na itinatag ni civic leader Teresita Ang-See, ang naging susi sa pakikipagugnayan ng mga biktima ng KFR at ng pamilya nila sa awtoridad. Maraming nalutas na kaso si Lacson at ang PACC Task Force Habagat, Task Force Alpha, at Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) dahil sa mahalagang tulong ng MRPO.
“Passion nila, advocacy nila to fight crime and KFR gangs, grabe ang kanilang dedication… They know how to deal with kidnappers especially during negotiation,” ani Lacson.
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