MANILA, Philippines?A panel of prosecutors will look into allegations raised by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against Sen. Panfilo ?Ping? Lacson in connection with the alleged abduction for ransom of two suspected Chinese drug traffickers in 1998 and 1999.

A source in the Department of Justice said the panel would be formed this week to conduct a preliminary investigation into the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group?s (CIDG) complaint against Lacson and 17 other respondents.

The CIDG alleged that Chong Hiu Ming and Wong Kam Chong were abducted on Dec. 30, 1998, and March 22, 1999, respectively, by members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) and PNP Narcotics Group.

Lacson at the time was the PAOCTF chief.

The CIDG has filed charges against Lacson and retired police general Reynaldo Acop with DoJ in connection with the alleged kidnapping of the two Chinese citizens.

In a six-page letter to acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, the Metro Manila unit of the PNP-CIDG linked Lacson and then PNP Narcgroup head Acop to the abduction of ?level-one drug lords? Chong and Ming.

The Criminal Investigation and Detention Unit based its information on an investigation started by the CIDG in 2001 of alleged crimes committed by members of the PAOCTF, Narcgroup and the PNP?s regional investigation and intelligence division (RIID) in Southern Tagalog region.

?Among these illegal drug-related activities were the kidnapping of two suspected Chinese level-one drug lords identified as Wong Kam Chong and Chong Hiu Ming,? read the letter signed by Senior Supt. Robert Gatlec Po, Metro Manila CIDU chief.

Investigation showed the two victims were never released and were still missing ?despite the payment of huge ransoms demanded by PRO4-RIID officials.?

Lacson has dismissed the complaint as an old one. He said the CIDG years ago filed the case with the DoJ but the latter referred it to the Ombudsman which in turn dismissed it.

?The Ombudsman dismissed the case of kidnapping for ransom with serious illegal detention and instead filed an information for direct bribery against several police officials before the Sandiganbayan which is presently handling the case,? Lacson said.

He blamed the Arroyo administration for making life difficult for him since 2001 when it came to power.

?Is this administration desperately racing against time to make my life really miserable?? he said. Norman Bordadora