Kidnap-for- ransom is on the rise and so are the other criminalities. Daily, we see in the social media urgent appeals for help to locate missing persons. Gang wars in dingy streets are back and the notorious “tanim bala” in the airports and tanim droga in the streets have come back with impunity. The Philippine National Police and other law enforcers appeared so helpless what’s more the public.
The recent KFR case involving a Filipino-Chinese businessman who, along with his driver, were murdered despite the payment for ransoms, cannot just be dismissed as a crime of vengeance. If it were so, the suspect/s could have just killed the victims and the deed is done.
This brings to mind, the case of Sally Chua, a chinese businesswoman who was kidnap minnthe premises of her office in Quezon City. The story was that she inveigled her kidnappers that the ransom they demanded be done in Davao City where she said she have substantial deposit to pay the amount. The kidnappers who were armed to the teeth agreed.
The Davao City Police which was then headed by Col. Bato dela Rosa set up a trap for them upon learning of the movements of the kidnappers. In brief the suspects were all neutralized except for a member who excorted Chua inside the bank were police operatives had him collared.
In an interview later, Sally Chua said that decided to do the payoff in Davao City because she is confident Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will not allow criminals to go out alive if they enter the city. She also said that her only chance to be alive and rescued is in Davao City because she have read and heard of Mayor Duterte directive to protect victims of criminal elements.
Often it ia a question of leadership, determination and intelligence apparatus that help to address crimes. The case of Chua was not the only incidents in Davao. Davao City has 911 intelligence and emergency network that solves crime in less than 48 hours and capture crime suspects in less than 24.
The problem today is that the PNP has become a tool to go after political adversaries. A classic and shameless example is fielding thousands of battle ready policemen to serve a warrant of arrest to a pastor Apollo C Quiboloy. The incomprehensible movements of police from one region to another without apparent purpose speaks of incoherent strategy.
Politicians make our policemen their personal security. Sadly though, there is no whimper of protest from the ranks. Imagine drug users and addicts given a virtual reprieve by a cop who had the temerity to say that drug users are into drugs because they needed it in their jobs. In Duterte’s time you’re immediatly fired. In somebody’s regime you are promptly hired.
