Senate resumes probe on ‘tokhang for ransom’

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson has resumed its investigation into the so-called “tokhang for ransom” allegedly being perpetrated by rogue cops.

After conducting its first hearing last January 26, Lacson decided to suspend its scheduled hearing the following week after the Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered a stop to all its anti-illegal drug operations nationwide.

READ: Lacson suspends probe on ‘tokhang for ransom’

Invited at the resumption of the hearing this Thursday were SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, the prime suspect in the October 18 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, and other suspects such as Police Supt. Raphael Dumlao of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

Also invited as resource persons were PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Senior Supt. Glenn Dumlao, head of the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group, and National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran, among others. CDG/rga