New police unit to fight syndicates

A special police unit will be set up to fight kidnap-for-ransom gangs and other organized criminal syndicates.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. told reporters yesterday the creation of the special police unit is part of the National Peace and Order Council’s (NPOC) new strategy to try to eliminate all forms of criminality.

"We have to review and come up with new strategies in order to be more effective in our campaign against all forms of criminality, particularly kidnapping-for-ransom," he said.

Lina, who is NPOC chairman, said the new strategy was agreed upon during yesterday’s NPOC meeting, which included representatives of law enforcement agencies, the military and non-government organizations.

Lina said a joint police-military effort to "neutralize" known kidnapping syndicates topped the list of the 12-point agenda, which the NPOC had approved and adopted.

The joint police-military implementing plan against kidnapping syndicates will be completed within 90 days, he added.

Lina said the NPOC also called for the creation of special courts that would try cases of kidnapping and other heinous crimes and the appointment of a team of special prosecutors to handle them.

An action committee comprised of representatives of the law enforcement and prosecution arms of the criminal justice system must focus on kidnapping cases pending in court to ensure conviction of the accused, he added.

Lina said the action plan includes the following:

• Updating the watchlist on kidnapping syndicates;

• Enlisting the support of various religious groups; and

• Dissemination of information on how to avoid being kidnapped.

Lina said the NPOC will also seek media’s help in preventing the premature release of information on police operations against kidnappers.

The NPOC also sought swift administrative and criminal action against law enforcers involved in kidnapping and closer coordination among the five pillars of the criminal justice system, he added.

Lina said the meeting also tackled the launching of a new integrated public safety and peace and order campaign to be carried out by the local peace and order councils.

Lina also saw the need to revitalize the NPOC’s special action committee, which is comprised of the secretaries of interior and local government, national defense, social welfare and development, justice, and the Armed Forces chief.

Lina called on newly elected governors and mayors to immediately convene their provincial, city and municipal peace and order councils and adopt measures to improve the peace and order situation in their jurisdictions. – Perseus Echeminada