Sen. Grace Poe. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Saturday said she wants the Senate to conduct an investigation into the reported incidents of kidnapping in the country.
Poe said she will file a resolution urging the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and other appropriate committees to conduct an inquiry into the reported kidnapping incidents that happened in Metro Manila and in other parts of Luzon.
In a draft copy of the resolution released to the media, Poe said “another kidnapping wave is creating a state of fear, anxiety and vulnerability among Filipinos.”
The resolution cited the revelation of Lugene Ang, the president of the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. that there have been 56 kidnapping incidents in the country “for the last 10 days” since September 6. However, the Philippine National Police has countered Ang’s claim, saying there were only 27 kidnapping cases reported to them so far this year.
It also mentioned the kidnap-slay of pharmaceutical executive Eduardo Tolosa Jr., who was the CEO of Iraseth Pharma Inc.
“We cannot allow this situation to threaten our people’s safety and trample on our efforts to help them get through the difficult times,” Poe said in her resolution.