Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has joined other senators in calling for a Senate investigation into the spate of kidnappings, abduction and disappearances in the country.
Ejercito made the call even after Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa vowed to probe the issue as chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
The senator said it is disturbing that among the reported cases of disappearances involve young women, alleged Chinese workers and those who are Filipino-Chinese.
He noted that some of the victims were later on found dead, and showed signs they were tortured.
According to Ejercito, the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCCI) claimed that the kidnapping cases in the last 10 days have surged to 56.
But the Philippine National Police (PNP) said there were only 27 recorded kidnapping incidents from January of this year.
Though the incidents of alleged abductions and killings involve foreigners, there is no assurance that Filipinos won’t be targeted by these criminals, Ejercito pointed out.
“The government should act swiftly to put an end to these spate of kidnappings and killings; take control of the situation; and guarantee our people of their safety and provide an assurance of a peaceful community,” Ejercito said in his Senate Resolution No. 194.
“As the Philippine economy continues to recover from the negative effects of the pandemic by opening its doors to tourists and investors, the government should see to it that the country is indeed a safe place to visit and do business,” he further said.
The senator also said it is an insult to the Philippine government that the alleged perpetrators, who now appears to be foreigners also, have no respect to “the laws of our land.”
“There is a need to establish peace and order in our society and send a message to everyone, Filipinos and foreigners alike, that no one is above the law,” he said.