KIDNAPPING CASES ALARMING, ANTI-CRIME WATCHDOG SAYS
By Fernando R. Cabigao and Cong B. Corrales
AN ANTI-CRIME watchdog has called the recent cases of kidnapping in the Philippine capital “alarming” as it called on the national government to “overhaul” the criminal justice system.
“The criminal justice system needs (an) overhaul; pursuing the cases (has become) difficult and challenging, Ka Kuen Chan, chairman of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order, said as he described going to court a “long, tedious, risky and expensive process,” .
SOURCE: Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order
Chan, who survived a kidnapping in 2008, said very few cases were “successfully tried” and another 20 are still undergoing trial.
These past two months, the MRPO noted that the cases have been alarming. The recent fatality in the “long roster of deaths” was Benito Chao, a Filipino-Chinese businessman who was kidnapped last August 27 in Caloocan City and was later found dead in Sta. Maria, Bulacan after the kidnappers got wind that his family was trying to coordinate with the National Police’ Anti-Kidnapping Group.
The situation has “vastly improved” but kidnappings still happen. Worse, the kidnappers seem to be bolder since incidents are happening “closer to home.” – MRPO founder Teresita Ang-See.
The MRPO had been lamenting the slow investigation and prosecution of kidnapping cases. Taking his case as an example, Chua said the court convicted his kidnappers after three years.
He also pointed out that mainstream media has under-reported kidnapping incidents, which may have emboldened the syndicates.
THE criminal justice system needs an overhaul, says MRPO chair Ka Kuen Chan | Photo by Cong B. Corrales
According to MRPO’s records, kidnapping groups killed 140 victims. Incidents peaked in the 90s when criminals were kidnapping at least one person every other day
See said that since 1993, only 60 of the cases resulted in convictions. The courts were able to decide on only three cases this year, four cases in 2013, and more than 20 kidnap-for-ransom cases are still pending trial.
MRPO founding chairperson Teresita Ang-See | Photo by Cong B. Corrales
It is sad to note, See added, that kidnap-for-ransom cases from 2011 to 2014 – except for one: Chao’s case—are still either for filing or the trial is just about to start as the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) are building up cases or have still to arrest the the suspects.
IN THE TOP 20
The Philippines was ranked No. 7 in the list Top 20 countries for kidnap-for-ransom as of September 30, 2013 according to the Risk Map 2014 of Control Risks, which describes itself as “an independent, global risk consultancy specialising in helping organisations manage political, integrity and security risks in complex and hostile environments.”
Mexico is on top of the list followed by India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Venezuela, Lebanon, Philippines, Afghanistan, Colombia and Iraq in the Top 10.