Lucio Tan backs anti-kidnap drive

Beer and tobacco magnate Lucio Tan expressed support yesterday for the new leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and its anti-kidnapping campaign.

Tan, president of the influential Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), expressed his support in a meeting with PNP chief Deputy Director General Leandro Mendoza and officials of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime task Force (PAOCTF).

Mendoza, for his part, assured members of the Binondo business community that determined action will be taken to prevent the rise of kidnapping incidents in the country.

"We are declaring an all-out war against the criminal syndicates that specialize in high-profile felonies like kidnapping and bank robberies," Mendoza said.

But Mendoza reiterated an appeal before Tan and his group that the PNP needs cooperation and support from the victims of these high-profile crimes.

In line with his assurance, the PNP activated a Businessman’s Desk in the National Capital Region to respond to calls for help from businessmen.

The Businessman’s Desk will be similar to the Women’s And Children’s Desks which are already operational in the NCR and assists in the solution of crimes against women and children.

Mendoza said the formation of the Businessman’s Desk is in response to criticisms from some anti-crime groups that there has been a resurgence of kidnappings of Binondo businessmen and their families.

In criticizing alleged police inaction to these cases, Citizen Action Against Crime (CAAC) chairperson Teresita Ang-See opposed the appointment of Mendoza to the PNP top post.