PNP: No serial killer behind kidnappings

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday dismissed rumors that a serial killer or a group of people in a white van could be behind the series of kidnappings and killings in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the PNP, said the crimes that have been reported in the media were perpetrated by different people.

“If we look into the circumstances sa mga sunod-sunod na pagkaka-discover ng cadavers and reported kidnappings ay wala tayong nakikita na serial killer dito,” she said in an interview on GMA News.

Fajardo said reports on social media platforms that people in a white van were involved in the spate of kidnappings and killings are not true.

“Wala pa tayong nare-record na ganyang insidente,” she said.

There have been calls for the police to look into a string of crimes in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including the killing of three persons in Taguig, the discovery of four bodies in a car in Rizal as well as three cadavers along highways in Quezon province and the rape-slay of a 15-year-old girl in Bulacan.

Fajardo urged the public to report crimes to the nearest police station so that lawmen can immediately take action and conduct an investigation.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. ordered police commanders to beef up security in their areas of jurisdiction.

Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla assured the public that his department would look into the cases of kidnappings and killings.

“Once these cases are reported to the justice department, we will conduct a probe,” Remulla said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday.

He ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to coordinate with the PNP on the investigation of these cases.

Crime figures

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) wants the PNP to present the real numbers on the crime situation in the country.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said it is important to see the “real figures” and to verify the information about recent crimes that were reported in the media.

“It will be hard to comment on something where we do not have the numbers yet. Let’s hear it straight from the PNP,” Abalos said at a press briefing.

He said he asked Azurin to submit a report on the kidnappings and killings.

“Azurin told me that some of the incidents were reported years ago, months ago,” the DILG chief said.

Abalos said the police should increase visibility as face-to-face classes have started.

“We are on top of the situation. This is what I can assure our countrymen. Do not worry,” he said in Filipino. – Alexis Romero, Evelyn Macairan