|
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Chinoys assure Glo: no civil disobedience
MANILA -- Members of the Chinese-Filipino community Wednesday junked earlier calls for a civil disobedience, shortly after Malacaņang ordered the deployment of the Philippine Marines to augment the police force in the fight against kidnapping.
National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (Naktaf) chief Angelo Reyes said President Arroyo met with representatives of the Chinese-Filipino community in Malacaņang to assure the businessmen that the government is exerting efforts to curb kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country.
Reyes said military forces would be tapped to augment policemen patrolling the streets of Metro Manila, particularly in crime-prone areas. Members of the Marines were deployed in Metro Manila in 2000 following the terrorist threats and bombing incidents in the country.
The deployment of the Philippine Marines back in metro streets was among the measures the President discussed with Robin Sy and Francis Chua,
president and officer of the Federation of Chinese-Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (FCFCII), respectively, and with Teresita Ang-See of the Citizens Action Against Crime (CAAC).
The meeting was called after Malacaņang received reports that some members of the community are threatening to leave the country, pull out their investments, boycott classes and initiate civil disobedience if the government fails to stop kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The fact that the government has whittled down the number of kidnapping syndicates during the past two years from 21 to only five this year indicated that police operations have succeeded in its anti-kidnapping operations, Malacaņang said as it appealed to the citizenry not to lose hope but instead support the government in this fight.
"We shall stamp out kidnapping and I seek the people's continuing trust and confidence," the President said in a statement.
The President said there is no need for foreign assistance because these are not transnational crime syndicates. She added that Naktaf and the other law enforcement agencies can effectively deal with the problem.
"What we need is cooperation from the various sectors for effective prevention, the safe rescue of victims, and the swift interdiction of suspects," the President said.
Earlier, there were suggestions from anti-crime groups that the government seek the help of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other foreign law enforcement agencies to stamp out kidnapping.
Deputy presidential spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo said Malacaņang would still consult with police authorities, particularly Reyes, if help is really necessary.
Saludo said he cannot blame the anti-crime groups for making such suggestions considering that most of kidnapping cases are now being given prominence by the media.
Foreign help
Reyes, on the other hand, considered seeking the help of the US
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in solving the wave of kidnappings in the country.
But Justice Sec. Simeon Datumanong does not see any need to ask for the FBI's assistance.
"It will not speak well of the capability of government agencies (to act) against crimes, particularly heinous ones," Datumanong said.
Ang-See, earlier urged the government to seek foreign assistance in fighting kidnappers just as it sought the help of other countries in the hunt for terrorists.
"We will explore that option. I don't see anything wrong with that. We have a problem and we will welcome whatever help we can get," Reyes said.
Reyes added Naktaf will enlist the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in their operations.
Reyes also called on Chinese-Filipino community to cooperate in the government's anti-kidnapping efforts. "We must not lose hope. We need to help each other," Reyes said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Danilo Servando, Naktaf spokesman, said from conducting checkpoints, roadblocks and security outposts, the government will deploy more policemen in areas considered prone to kidnapping.
In the last two weeks, three Chinese-Filipinos were kidnapped.
Coca-Cola executive Betti Chua Sy was abducted and later killed by her captors while Jelina Dy, 10, and Jethro Chua, 2, are still being held hostage. SCT/ Miko Santos/ Benjamin Pulta
(December 4, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
|
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Korean tagged in compatriots' ambush slay