Arroyo government strives for "kidnap-free" Christmas
( 2003-12-04 17:25) (Xinhua)
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on
Thursday said the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) is now ready to
institute measures to curb the rampant kidnappings in the national capital
region and nearby provinces.
"The NAKTAF has formulated, following my directive, certain security measures
to curb kidnapping. We need to implement these measures immediately in order to
achieve my desire of having a kidnap-free Christmas season," the presidential
palace quoted Arroyo as saying in a statement.
In a meeting attended by city mayors and governors, representatives of the
business sector and the Filipino-Chinese community and the Philippine National
Police (PNP), the president stressed the need for the government to demonstrate
its resolve and capability to address rampant kidnapping in the capital region.
Arroyo said she has ordered an in-depth investigation on the reported
collusion of some police and military personnel with kidnap-for-ransom groups,
adding that the NAKTAF will undertake cleansing and isolation measures so that
only police officers with unquestionable integrity are assigned to
anti-kidnapping groups.
"We have done this process of internal house cleaning quietly in our
anti-drug campaign and have reaped results," she said, adding, "If anyone has
suspicions or proofs of any cops being involved in the kidnap trade, they should
be reported directly."
Arroyo also said random checkpoints and mobile operations are now being
conducted round the clock. "All law-abiding citizens must gather around this
effort and send a strong, consolidated message for criminals to stand down," she
added.
"We need the cooperation of the Filipino-Chinese community to help us
identify the scalawags was well as the officers who have been a credit to the
uniform," she said.
In the past two weeks, several Chinese-Filipinos had been victims of
high-profile abductions. Kidnappers killed Coca-Cola executive Betti Sy, whose
remains were found wrapped in a garbage bag on Nov. 17. On Nov. 21, 10-year-old
Jelina Dy was kidnapped, and released Thursday amid reports of ransom having
been paid.
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