FILE PHOTO: Senator Grace Poe during the hybrid plenary session on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Voltaire F. Domingo/Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday expressed alarm over what she described as a seeming “news blackout” by authorities on the spate of abduction incidents in the country.
According to Poe, information on the Philippine National Police (PNP) cases is insufficient.
“Gusto naming malaman mismo sa PNP, ano bang nangyayari dito? Bakit nagkaroon ng news blackout?” she said in an interview.
(We want to know from the PNP, what happened here? Why is there a news blackout?)
“It needs to be verified from the authorities, either from the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) or the PNP,” she added.
For Poe, the recent kidnapping incidents may be a precursor to harsher crimes. And so, she urged the PNP not to dismiss reports of citizens and organizations.
“Hindi nila pwedeng sabihin na kung hindi malawakan ay hindi importante,” the senator stressed.
(They cannot say that it is not important if it is not widespread.)
“Malawakan man o hindi, ‘pag nagkakaroon ng mga ganyang krimen ay dapat talaga tayong umaksyon,” she said.
(Widespread or not, if there are crimes like these, we should act on them.)
Poe likewise asked authorities to explain certain groups’ supposed rise in using private armed security.
Poe pointed out that current laws regulate and limit hiring such bodyguards.
“Kung umasta sila, parang may private army na sila sa dami ng bodyguards nila… Siga na, eh,” she said.
(They act like they have a private army with the number of their bodyguards. They are becoming arrogant.)
Poe has lodged Senate Resolution No. 195, calling for an inquiry on the alleged surge of abduction incidents in Luzon, including Metro Manila.
The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs will hold a hearing on the matter on Thursday, September 15. — Kristelle Anne Razon, trainee