Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Facebook)

Former senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson is prodding the Philippine National Police (PNP) to swiftly temper the public's fear regarding kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) incidents.

Lacson, an administration Senate bet and a former PNP chief, shared his formula in handling the KFR incidents, if only to maintain Filipinos' trust in law enforcement agencies and the government in general.

The Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate, who solved several KFR cases as head of the then Presidential Anti-Crime Commission Task Force Habagat, said it was up to the PNP to work hard and intensify its intelligence and investigative capabilities to catch the kidnappers and bring them to justice.

"Our police should show results. Otherwise, future victims will be more afraid, thinking about what happened to the last victim. The fear factor is very important, as is the trust of the community and potential victims in our authorities," he said in Filipino in a recent online interview. 

Lacson said the PNP should first ensure continuity in the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) by assigning an officer with enough experience in anti-crime activities as head, then assigning someone as his/her understudy who can replace him/her upon promotion or reassignment.

Second, he said the PNP must act against rogue members by making its Internal Affairs Service (IAS) independent as he cited information that some former and active policemen act as unauthorized bodyguards of those involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) who are involved in kidnapping, though the motive is for the victims to pay casino debts.

Third, he advised the PNP and the authorities concerned to practice "secrecy discipline" and not telegraph information to the public as this may tip off the kidnappers.

"Once you arrest all those involved, you can hold a press conference to show the PNP's achievement and to gain public trust. But before the solution, refrain from making anything public lest you tip off the kidnappers too," Lacson said.

"During my time, we had to climb high trees or water tanks - I myself had to climb a water tank to triangulate the kidnappers' location. Our modern counterparts are better equipped today, but if they don't put that equipment to good use, nothing will happen," he said.

Also, Lacson would decline offers of rewards from families of rescued kidnap victims, so his men would not be tempted to be selective on who to help.

Lacson also warned that unless authorities show results soon, kidnappers would be encouraged to continue their act, exploiting victims' fear of reporting or cooperating with authorities.

Worse, he said foreign governments--including China--may come up with travel advisories for their citizens cautioning them against kidnappings, since Chinese-Filipinos are victims of recent KFR incidents.

Meanwhile, Lacson advised victims or their families to coordinate with authorities - if not directly, then through non-government organizations like the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), which was founded in the 1990s. 

The MRPO's members are former kidnap victims who can empathize and help them coordinate with authorities.

The MRPO, founded and organized by civic leader Teresita Ang-See, played a key role in the cooperation of KFR victims and their families with authorities. Lacson and the PACC Task Force Habagat, Task Force Alpha, and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) solved several KFR cases with the timely help of the MRPO.