JV Ejercito urges Senate, Malacañang to probe spate of kidnappings, torture
September 12, 2022
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday
called on the Senate and Malacanang to look into recent reports of kidnappings
and torture that have been making rounds online.
In a press briefing, Ejercito also urged the
Philippine National Police (PNP) to expedite its ongoing investigations on the
said incidents.
The lawmaker from San Juan had earlier filed
Proposed Senate Resolution No. 194, which seeks to direct the Senate Committee
on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs to conduct a probe on these “alarming”
cases of kidnapping, abduction, and disappearances, specially those against
women, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers, and Filipino-Chinese
individuals.
“Ngayon lang, we filed a resolution of course
to put an end or if not, kung talagang totoo ito, for the authorities to take
action because all the efforts of the administration to improve our tourism, to
improve the business climate would be affected if these illegal activities and
criminal activities of these syndicates continue in the country,” Ejercito
said.
Senators Grace Poe and Imee Marcos had
previously filed similar resolutions.
Ejercito’s resolution cited the alleged
kidnapping of a Chinese national in broad daylight along the Skyway elevated
highway and the documented torture of a male victim whose ear was cut off.
He also revealed during his press briefing
that several intelligence reports indicate the presence of Cambodian-Chinese
criminal syndicates in the country.
Arguing that criminal syndicates might be
“testing the water” under the current administration, the lawmaker said
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should issue an immediate directive
to law enforcers, emphasizing the need to ramp up efforts against these
criminal activities.
“Any directive from the President is policy
and I think it will help so much if the President himself is on top of the
situation, na talagang maaaddress niya agad, that yung peace and order
situation under his leadership will be top priority,” Ejercito said.
“Kasi everytime there’s a new administration,
probably they are testing the leadership. They’re testing President BBM’s
administration, the new PNP. That is a possibility,” he added.
Ejercito said the national government risks
losing the confidence of investors and the rest of the business sector if the
ongoing spate of kidnappings and torture is not addressed.
“Dapat siguro, the authorities have to act
swiftly para at least matapos na ito at makita nila na talagang they are in
control,” he said.
“Peace and order is very essential in the
rebuilding of our economy, in projecting that we have an investment-friendly
climate,” he added.
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous
Drugs is expected to conduct a hearing on the said criminal activities within
the week, Ejercito announced.
