Gov’t maintains PH is safe, crime under control

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 10 years ago

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Amid cases of kidnapping and videos showing gun-poking men in broad daylight, Malacañang on Thursday said the country was safe and the crime situation under control.

“The President can face the world with a clear view that the Philippines is safe for investors, the Philippines is safe for its citizens” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. told media a day after it was reported that the country went up seven places in the World Economic Forum (WEF) competitiveness ranking.

Coloma warned against those painting a grim picture of the Philippine crime situation when in reality it is considered “stable.”

“The crime situation is well under the control of the police authorities. Kaya hindi dapat lumikha ng ligalig hinggil diyan (People shouldn’t create a commotion about that),” he added.

The Palace official said concerned citizens’ group, including anticrime crusader Teresita Ang-See’s Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), have already met with Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Alan Purisima on Wednesday to tackle related concerns of the Filipino-Chinese community, which has been plagued by kidnapping incidents.

“The PNP is exerting all efforts to crack down on the criminal elements behind these kidnapping-for-ransom cases. According to the PNP, the reported number of kidnap-for-ransom cases as of August this year rose slightly to 38 from 31 during the same period last year, and this is what they’re working on now in terms of intensified police efforts,” Coloma said.

He admitted that there is also a need to improve intelligence and surveillance efforts.
Asked why perpetrators seemed to be getting “bolder” in committing heinous crimes, Coloma said it “is a continuing effort of the government and the law enforcement authorities to instill respect for the law.”

The statement came a couple days after photos of gun-poking men on Edsa surfaced on the Internet. It remains unclear why the men took out their gun and aimed it at another vehicle.