Lacson shows video of police’s other ‘excesses’

Senator Ping Lacson during the Senate Hearing on the murder of Korean National Jee Ick Joo. INQUIRER PHOTO/ ALEXIS CORPUZ/ INQUIRER PHOTO

Senator Panfilo Lacson presented a video during a Senate hearing on Thursday which he said showed that the kidnap-slay of a Korean businessman was not only an “isolated” case but that there were indeed alleged “excesses” being committed by some policemen.

“I have in my possession a CCTV, video ng iba pang ginagawa ng mga pulis natin but on second thought sabi ko wala namang mas sasama pa dito sa nagyari sa Korean so just for your information and to make it on the record sa komite natin dito na hindi isolated at maraming nagyayaring ganito,” Lacson said during the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, which he chairs.

(I have in my possession a CCTV video of other illegal activities of policemen, but on second thought, I have said there is nothing worse than what happened to the Korean. So just for your information and to make it on the record to the committee, this is not an isolated case, but just one of many others.)

READ: ‘Tokhang for ransom’: Isolated case or rogue cops’ new cash cow?

The committee is investigating the abduction and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, who was taken from his house in Angeles City, Pampanga last October 18, along with his house help Marisa Morquicho.

Lacson said he also received a report from Teresita Ang See of the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order of 12 other victims of alleged “hulidap” activities by rogue cops.

READ: ‘Korean’s slay casts doubts on PNP’s moral ascendancy’

He cited at least two victims who were still arrested and charged for illegal drugs supposedly even after paying the amount demanded by the police.

“These are incidents to show that there are really excesses being committed by our policemen and kung hindi mamo-monitor at hind nyo rin malalaman at hindi nyo rin gagawan ng aksyon, hindi maarrest din yung situation (and if you cannot monitor this, you will not know, you will not address, and you will not be able to address the situation),” the senator said, directing his statement to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

At this point, Lacson presented to the committee a video sent to him supposedly showing a police raiding team planting evidence in an office.

“May mauuna rito, may magpa-plant ng mga shabu and then papasok ‘yung raiding party. These are police officers and then ninakawan pa ng equivalent to P7 million and then nag cough up ng another P2 million,” he said before showing the video.

The video showed that the raid took place on October 26, 2016.

After playing the video before the committee, Lacson advised the PNP chief to strengthen their counter intelligence efforts that would specifically check on their own people, and to also work on restoring the trust of the public.

He said the person who provided him the video did not want to file a complaint against the police for fear for his life.

“Takot na takot… ayaw talagang mag complain,” he said, “’Yun nga sabi ko, ‘yung trust is something that you should earn. It can’t be demanded. Hindi mo pwedeng sabihin sa victim na kailangang mag-report kayo. You should show them that you’re able to address their problems…”

(He is very scared and does not want to complain. That’s what I am talking about: trust is something that you should earn. It can’t be demanded. You can’t tell the victim to file a report. You should show them that you’re able to address their problems.)

Lacson said all victims of the alleged cases reported to him by Ang See did not also want to file a complaint.

“It takes time to earn the trust of the people, of the civilian populace, especially the victims. ‘Pag nakarinig kayo ng insidenteng merong nakidnap, na-extort, don’t wait for them to volunteer to complain. I-pursue ninyo, find conduits, hanap kayo ng padrino, paano n’yo ma-convince na mag complain and solve it. That’s the only time you will earn the trust of the people para boluntaryong mag-complain…” the senator added.

(It takes time to earn the trust of the people, of the civilian populace, especially the victims. If you hear about a kidnapping or extortion, don’t wait for the victims to volunteer to complain. Pursue them, find conduits, an emissary to convince them that you can solve the case. That’s the only time you will earn the trust of the people to voluntarily complain.) IDL/rga