The Philippine National Police (PNP) is reevaluating its crime-fighting approach in the wake of a rise in kidnapping cases, and Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s admonition that the police “should terrorize the criminals and not the other way around.”
The statement by PNP deputy chief for administration Police Lt. Gen. Chiquito Malayo came as the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) met with the members of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) in response to their claims of widespread kidnapping cases of Filipino-Chinese residents in Metro Manila.
NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said Thursday’s meeting with the business group was aimed at reassuring them that their claims were “not in conformity” with police records.
“There is no kidnapping happening. Even in other cities, we don’t have such cases, this is not true. If we have received any complaints, all of them have been resolved by the police,” Estomo said.
Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Malayo said he welcomed the feedback from dela Rosa, who was PNP chief before being elected to the Senate.
Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, called out the PNP for its lack of momentum.
Due to this, Dela Rosa said criminals no longer fear the police and have become more daring in committing crimes such as kidnapping.
“The police should terrorize the criminals and not the other way around,” he said.
Malayo said the PNP has monitored 27 cases of kidnapping this year so far. Of the total number, 12 are still under investigation and 15 have been resolved and cleared.
On Tuesday, the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said there have been 56 incidents in the past 10 days. However, Malayo said the group has yet to provide evidence to support these reports.
He said there were only four cases of kidnapping from July and August this year based on PNP’s data. He added that only one victim is still in the hands of kidnappers.
Estomo, meanwhile, assured the Filipino-Chinese community that police officers patrolling the streets would ensure peace and order.