CEBU – Forming a task force to fast-track the investigation into the kidnapping and killing of Chinese entrepreneur Anson Que is a first step but not quite enough to curb kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) cases, former Philippine National Police and senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.
Lacson said the only way that the Chinese Filipino community and the public can be mollified amid the recent KFR cases is if the PNP actually solves the case and brings the perpetrators to justice.
“It is commendable that the PNP formed a task force headed by P/Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo and P/Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III. These are very good officers who are used to anti-crime operations. Okubo worked under me at the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, he is a very good operator against crime. I hope they can gather enough leads that could result in a positive conclusion, so KFR cases will not happen again,” Lacson said in Filipino in an interview with DYHP radio here.
Related: Ping Lacson: Bagong Task Force at Pagsibak sa AKG Chief ay Unang Hakbang pero Hindi Sapat para Tigilan ang KFR Cases
Also, Lacson said the formation of the task force and the removal of P/Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay as PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) chief are “not enough” by themselves since no less than a positive resolution will address the public’s fears.
“Not enough. What is needed is a positive resolution of KFR cases. That is the important thing,” he said.
He said that if the kidnapping case especially of Mr. Que is not solved, more kidnappings will occur as gangs involved in this will be emboldened.
Citing information reaching him, Lacson said three KFR cases occurred in the past five to six weeks. Two of the three cases had some “similarities” – including brutality and huge dollar-denominated ransom demands – that could indicate the same modus operandi and possibly perpetrated by one and the same gang.
He reiterated the need for the police to regain the trust of the community, and for the public to still trust our law enforcers and the criminal justice system. He said victims can coordinate with non-government organizations like the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order founded by civic leader Teresita Ang-See, whose members are former kidnap victims.
“The important thing to do is cooperate with the police. Without that, the victims will be at the mercy of the kidnappers,” he said.
Lacson said that should he earn a seat in the Senate in May, he would push for a bigger budget for the PNP to acquire enough technical equipment to deal with KFR and other crimes.
“In this modern age of IT, we should be able to cope with the prevailing situation,” he said.
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Ping Lacson: Bagong Task Force at Pagsibak sa AKG Chief ay Unang Hakbang pero Hindi Sapat para Tigilan ang KFR Cases
CEBU – Ang pagbuo ng bagong task force para imbestigahan ang pag-kidnap at pagpatay sa negosyanteng si Anson Que ay unang hakbang pero hindi pa sapat para tigilan ang mga kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) cases, ayon kay dating Philippine National Police at senator at 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ngayong Biyernes.
Giit ni Lacson, iisa lang ang paraan para makuha muli ng PNP ang tiwala ng publiko at ng Chinese Filipino community – at ito ay ang paglutas sa kaso at paghuli sa mga sangkot.
“Commendable na nag-form sila ng task force headed by P/Lt Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo and P/Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III. Sila ang naghe-head nito. These are very good officers, sanay sa operations. Gen. Okubo worked under me sa PAOCTF, he is a very good operator vs crime. So I just hope they can gather enough leads that could result in a conclusion na positive para di na maulit,” ani Lacson sa panayam sa DYHP radio.
Dagdag ni Lacson, ang pagbuo ng task force at ang pagtanggal kay P/Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay bilang hepe ng PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) ay hindi sapat dahil kailangang maresolba ang kaso.
“Not enough. Ang kailangan talaga, positive resolution, or solution talaga ng KFR cases na di naso-solve. Yan ang importante,” aniya.
Kung hindi maresolba ang kaso ni Que, ani Lacson, maaaring dadami ang kidnapping dahil lalakas ang loob ng mga KFR gangs.
Base sa impormasyong nakalap ni Lacson, tatlong KFR cases ang nangyari sa huling lima o anim na linggo. Dalawa sa tatlong kaso ay may “similarities” – kabilang ang brutality at malaking dollar-denominated na ransom demands – na nagpapakitang posibleng iisa ang sindikato ang nasa likod ng dalawang kasong ito, at parehong modus operandi ang ginagamit.
Inulit ni Lacson na kailangang makuha ng kapulisan ang tiwala ng publiko, at kailangan ng publikong magtiwala sa alagad ng batas at sa criminal justice system. Aniya, maaaring makipagugnayan ang biktima sa non-government organization tulad ng Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order na itinatag ni civic leader Teresita Ang-See. Ang miyembro ng MRPO ay dating kidnap victims.
“The important thing to do is cooperate with the police. Without that, the victims will be at the mercy of the kidnappers,” aniya.
Kung manalo si Lacson sa pagka-senador sa Mayo, balak niyang ipaglaban ang mas malaking budget para sa PNP para makakuha ng technical equipment upang labanan ang KFR at ibang krimen.
“In this modern age of IT, kailangan we should be able to cope with the prevailing situation,” aniya.
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