Lacson: Probing kidnapping is just first step, cases must be solved
Panfilo Lacson speaks during a town hall meeting in Zamboanga del Norte on Mar. 31, 2022. (FILE) Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau
MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) that creating a task force to investigate the recent kidnappings is just a mere first step, noting that the police have to solve the case to regain public confidence.
Lacson, who was in Cebu City on Friday for his senatorial campaign trail, said that while it is good that the PNP responded to the Filipino-Chinese community’s concerns, it is only through holding the perpetrators accountable that people would feel justice was served.
The former senator, who also used to be a PNP chief, vouched for the credibility of Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III and Police Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo — co-heads of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG). Lacson also said that Okubo used to be under him at at the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF)
“It is commendable that the PNP formed a task force headed by P/Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo and P/Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III. These are very good officers who are used to anti-crime operations. Okubo worked under me at the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, he is a very good operator against crime,” Lacson said in a radio interview, transcripts of which were sent to the media.
“I hope they can gather enough leads that could result in a positive conclusion, so KFR (kidnap-for-ransom) cases will not happen again,” he added.
Lacson gave these remarks after Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que, who was kidnapped recently, was found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal. Civic leader Teresita Ang-See, who urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to order a thorough scrutiny of the police force, said Que’s abduction marks the third kidnapping incident in the last five weeks.
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The three kidnapping incidents, Ang-See said, involved a 14-year-old Chinese student in Taguig in February, a Chinese food kiosk owner in Binondo, Manila, and Que.
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Similarly, Lacson believes the removal of Police Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay as the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group head is not enough.
“Not enough. What is needed is a positive resolution of KFR cases. That is the important thing,” he added.
Just this Thursday, Lacson said that the police must show results in addressing kidnapping cases so that they could win public trust again.
“The important thing to do is cooperate with the police. Without that, the victims will be at the mercy of the kidnappers,” he said. “In this modern age of IT, we should be able to cope with the prevailing situation.”
Lacson was in a similar situation before, as during his police career, he was assigned to various posts that tackled KFR incidents like in PAOCTF and Task Force Habagat — which led to the dismantling of notorious kidnapping group Red Scorpion.
The former senator was also part of the intelligence unit of the Philippine Constabulary, the precursor of the PNP. During the 1970s, Lacson successfully led a unit of the Metrocom Intelligence and Security Group (MISG) in rescuing businesswoman Robina Gokongwei and her cousin from their abductors.
Several groups have already started doubting PNP’s data after the kidnapping incidents came just after the police force announced that crime rates nationwide have dropped by 18.4-percent, from the first quarter of 2025 compared to the last quarter of 2024.
READ: Nationwide crime rate drops by 26% from Jan 1 to Feb 14, says PNP
PNP officials said in a previous briefing that they believe the group behind the abduction and killing of Que are debt collectors connected to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
