Drug trade, kidnapping still top priorities of PNP

Philippine National Police (PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza said yesterday drug trafficking and kidnapping remain the priority of the police..

Mendoza said the drug problem is rampant in Central and Southern Luzon, where criminal syndicates try to use the ports as a transshipment point for shabu.

Despite "significant accomplishments" of the Narcotics group, some drug syndicates try to create diversions to continue their illegal activities, he added.

Mendoza said kidnap gangs include the Pentagon Group, Abu Sayyaf, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Misuari Renegade Group in Central and Western Mindanao.

Last year, the security of ousted President Joseph Estrada and his son, Jinggoy was a priority of the PNP, he added.

Mendoza said James Dy, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., has promised to help the PNP acquire modern equipment for investigation from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

These include basic police accessories, communications, electronics and laboratory equipment, and tools used in day-to-day police operations, he added. – Christina Mendez