Before making public any “updates” on their investigation into kidnapping cases, the Philippine National Police may need to be sensitive and think about the kidnap victims’ families first.
This was the reminder of former Senator and PNP chief and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, as he said there is no gain in prematurely sharing information with the public.
He cited the kidnap-slay of businessman Anson Que, where the PNP was quoted in reports as saying it is looking into the possible involvement of a group involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).
On Saturday, Que’s family denied any connections of the slain trader to POGO, even as they maintained they will cooperate with the PNP.
“It’s a double whammy for the victim’s family. They are still mourning the killing of Mr. Que, then they come out with such information. It is painful for the family,” he said in Filipino in an interview on Bombo Radyo Cebu, when asked about the issue.
Related: Paalala ni Ping Lacson sa PNP: Isipin ang Kamaganak ng Kidnap Victims Bago Maglabas ng ‘Updates’
Lacson said that when he was solving kidnapping incidents as a law enforcer, he would practice discipline in making sure no information or lead is leaked to the public before the case is solved.
This way, he said they also avoid tipping off kidnappers on their next moves.
“Telegraphing information to the public will not do good to the investigation or the work they are conducting now,” he said.
“What the PNP should do instead is to solve the case first. When everything is clear, that’s the time they announce everything,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lacson said that while an inter-agency task force against kidnapping is a welcome move, it is still not enough as the main thing that will regain public trust is still to solve the case.
“What will regain the public’s trust is the resolution of the cases and bringing the perpetrators before the bar of justice,” he said.
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Paalala ni Ping Lacson sa PNP: Isipin ang Kamaganak ng Kidnap Victims Bago Maglabas ng ‘Updates’
Bago maglabas ng impormasyon o “update” tungkol sa kanilang imbestigasyon sa mga kidnapping cases, dapat maging sensitibo ang Philippine National Police sa mga pamilya ng kidnap victims.
Ito ang paalala ni dating Senador at PNP chief, at 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, na iginiit na walang mabuting maidudulot kung masyadong maaga ang paglabas ng impormasyon sa publiko.
Hinalimbawa niya ang pagdukot at pagpatay sa negosyanteng si Anson Que, kung saan lumabas sa mga ulat na sinabi nitong iniimbestigahan ang posibleng pagsangkot ng grupong sangkot sa Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).
Nitong Sabado, itinanggi ng pamilya ni Que ang anumang koneksyon ng napaslang na negosyante sa POGO. Iginiit din ng pamilya na makikipagugnayan sila sa PNP.
“Parang double whammy. Parang nagiging victim ang family twice over. They are still mourning the killing of Mr. Que tapos may lalabas na ganyang information, medyo masakit sa family,” ani Lacson sa panayam sa Bombo Radyo Cebu.
Ani Lacson, nang iniimbestigahan nila ang mga kaso ng kidnapping, tinitiyak niyang walang lalabas na impormasyon sa publiko bago malutas ang kaso.
Sa ganitong pamamaraan, naiiwasan din nila na bigyan ng “tip” ang mga kidnappers kung ano ang susunod nilang mga galaw.
“Telegraphing information to the public will not do good to the investigation or the work they are conducting now,” ani Lacson.
“Ang dapat gawin ng PNP, i-solve muna nila. When everything is clear, kung ano ang motive, saka na i-announce,” dagdag niya.
Samantala, iginiit ni Lacson na bagama’t “welcome move” ang balak na bumuo ng inter-agency task force laban sa kidnapping, hindi pa rin ito sapat dahil ang makakapawi ng pangamba ng publiko ay ang paglutas ng kaso.
“Ang talagang makakapagpanatag ng loob nila, siyempre, ang resolution ng mga kaso and bringing the perpetrators before the bar of justice,” aniya.
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