EDITORIAL - Police characters

If many ransom kidnappings go unreported, a major reason is that people fear the involvement of cops themselves — if not as direct participants, then as coddlers of kidnappers.

Now another case will fuel those fears. Reports said businessman Edison Sy has filed a complaint for kidnapping and robbery against seven policemen. According to the complaint, about 10 heavily armed cops pounced on Sy’s van while it was parked at a shopping mall in Mandaluyong City on the night of June 7. Sy was not in the van, but his driver was there together with one of the businessman’s associates, Tom Marcos. The two were told that Sy was wanted for drug trafficking. They were taken to a safehouse where they got in touch with Sy, who sent another man to negotiate with the policemen. The negotiator was himself detained. Before midnight, Sy joined the three men at the safehouse.

The next day, the cops brought the four men to the Western Police District headquarters on United Nations Avenue in Manila. During their stay at the office of the WPD’s intelligence group, the policemen allegedly divested Sy of his Rolex watch, 10 credit cards and cash. Sy alleged that the cops asked him for P5 million so he could be freed and would not face criminal charges. With the help of a lawyer, Sy and his companions were finally released on Sunday. No charges were filed against him.

The only good thing about this story is that three WPD cops and four members of the Philippine National Police Narcotics Group’s Field Office in Metro Manila have been formally charged with kidnapping-for-ransom and robbery. Earlier, the officer-in-charge of the Narcotics Group also relieved all personnel in its Metro Manila Field Office. Such quick disciplinary action on erring cops is rare. It must have something to do with the looming change in the PNP’s leadership and an expected major reshuffle. For the next few weeks every police officer will be under pressure to be on his best behavior.

Whatever the reason, the swift action on a kidnapping complaint against cops is a welcome change. What would be even more welcome, however, is if cops will no longer be involved in kidnapping and other crimes.