PAOCC sets up desks for foreign crime victims

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has set up special desks for foreign nationals victimized by crimes in the country, according to a PAOCC official.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday, PAOCC chief Gilbert Cruz said the Korean desk has been established in Manila and Cebu. A Chinese desk will be launched in the coming weeks to address concerns raised by embassies.

Cruz said the initiative was discussed with the embassies of South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and the United States following cases of fraud and violent crimes involving foreigners.

“The Chinese embassy gave us a list of missing nationals. We are coordinating with them to determine if they were kidnapped or hiding,” Cruz said.

He said the embassies have raised interest in cases involving Chinese fugitive Bao Long, who was linked to a shooting in Makati, and other suspects, including David Tan and three Chinese nationals earlier arrested.

Cruz said dedicated hotlines and materials in Korean and Chinese languages would be distributed to ensure that victims can directly reach authorities.