Lacson hits PNP for failure to arrest high-profile fugitives

Senator Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former head of the Philippine National Police, said Friday that President Aquino’s “disappointment” at the failure of the police to catch several high-profile fugitives and his decision to increase the bounties for their capture meant only that the PNP has been remiss in its duty.

“Any sensible enforcer must get Aquino’s message loud and clear: They are sitting on their butts, doing nothing,” Lacson said in a statement, a day after Malacañang announced increases up to P2 million in the bounties for the capture of retired former Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, who is accused of kidnapping and other human rights violations, and several other fugitives.

“More so, he (President Aquino’s spokesman) used the word ‘displeased’ when what he actually meant was ‘pissed,'” the senator added.

“My advice to the PNP is simple and practical—eat their targets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including weekends and holidays. Then and only then can I be pretty sure they will succeed in arresting them,” Lacson said.

Lacson headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001.

He himself became a fugitive during the Arroyo administration by hiding to evade arrest in connection with the Dacer-Corbito double murder case. The charges against him have since been dropped.