PNP chief attends Tiu case hearing

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lumibao showed up at a hearing of a kidnap-for-ransom case at a Manila court yesterday to give moral support to Filipino-Chinese national Jackie Rowena Tiu, who was abducted by seven Chinese nationals four years ago in La Union.

Lumibao, accompanied by Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, arrived at Branch 10 of the Manila RTC at around 8:30 a.m. to observe the court proceedings.

"This case has been dragging for years. In 2001, I was still the regional director of Region 1. Now that I am the chief PNP, I would like to see the speedy resolution of the case and I am confident that the justice system would be faster now with the transfer of venue to Manila," Lumibao said.

He said his presence at the hearing was a sign of the PNP‘s and government’s continued support to victims of heinous crimes.

Tiu said that she was informed beforehand that the PNP chief would be coming to the hearing.

"I am very happy that the government has not wavered in its decision and conviction to render moral support. Since Day 1, our family was promised the support and I’m seeing it happen," she said.

Tiu said Gen. Lumibao’s presence was in some way returning the favor for the help she has extended to law enforcement agencies, for encouraging other victims of heinous crimes to come out and uphold the rule of law in seeking justice against their aggressors.

"According to him, I have been helping the PNP fight criminality. Not all victims would do what I am doing. The way they see it, I am helping them because my conviction to fight for justice does not waver so I deserve the support. This is also to encourage others that we have the government’s support because KFR is a big problem," she added.

Judge Virgilio Alameda who is the fifth judge to hear the case, listened yesterday to Wu Chang, one of the accused, give his testimony.

Teresita Ang See of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) acted as the translator since Wu only spoke Fookien.

Six of the seven accused were present in yesterday’s hearing namely Shi Jian Hui alias Jacky Sy King; Lim Jian Feng alias Jason Lim; Xu You Kwang alias Johnny Co; Wu Chang; Shi Chun Qi alias Ocampo Jacky Sy; and Shang Xi Wang alias Michael Zhang. They were recently transferred to the Camp Bagong Diwa detention facility of the National Capital Region Police Office.

The last accused Zhang Du alias Wilson Zhang, was deported by the Bureau of Immigration to China on May 7, 2005. He was allegedly allowed to leave the country after he showed bogus certificates attesting there were no pending cases against him.