Palace: PNP can stop kidnappings

As the deadline draws near, Malacañang expressed confidence yesterday that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is still capable of neutralizing kidnap-for-ransom syndicates in the country.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said kidnapping remains a challenge for police authorities even as he noted efforts by the PNP in addressing the problem.

"Alam ko naman ni hindi nagpapabaya ang PNP sa bagay na ito (I know that the PNP is doing all it can regarding this problem)," Bunye said.

Bunye, however, stressed the need for public cooperation to help the PNP put an end to kidnap-for-ransom operations.

"The community should help out and that would be our first line of defense. If anybody has information that could prevent kidnapping they should share it with the PNP," he said.

Last year, President Arroyo gave PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. a one-year deadline to eradicate or neutralize kidnap-for-ransom activities, a primary concern of business and anti-crime watch groups. The deadline on Ebdane will end on July 22.

Citizen Action Against Crime (CAAC) president Teresita Ang-See pointed out the increase of kidnap incidents since January, despite PNP pronouncements to the contrary.

But without admitting the rise of kidnap statistics, PNP officials had admitted kidnap syndicates seem to have gotten bolder as they strike at their prospective victim’s place of work rather than the usual way of blocking their vehicles on busy streets. — Mayen Jaymalin