south korean businessman killed in the Philippines

Bam lauds PNP’s move to shift focus from anti-drug ops to ‘internal cleansing’

Sen. Bam Aquino lauded Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa’s order to cease all anti-illegal drug operations nationwide to focus on “internal cleansing”, saying it will help restore the public’s trust in the organization.

 “This is a step in the right direction for the PNP as it works on regaining the public trust after several controversial incidents involving bad elements within the organization,” said Sen. Bam.

“Sa hakbang na ito, umaasa tayo na mawawala na sa hanay ng PNP ang mga tiwaling pulis na sumisira sa imahe ng mga nagpapatupad ng batas sa bansa,” he added.

On Monday, the PNP chief ordered all police units to stop anti-illegal drug operations nationwide as the organization focuses on getting rid of bad eggs among its ranks.

Dela Rosa’s announcement came after President Duterte ordered the dismantling of all PNP anti-illegal drug units after several policemen were involved in the kidnapping and murder of a South Korean businessman inside Camp Crame in October 2016.

 Jee Ick Joo was abducted from his home in Angeles City in October 18, 2016 and murdered right inside Camp Crame on the same day.

 Earlier, Sen. Bam pointed out that rogue elements are capitalizing on the government’s war against illegal drugs for their personal gains.

 “Humihina ang giyera ng pamahalaan kontra droga dahil sa ilang masasamang element sa PNP na nagsasamantala sa sitwasyon para sa pansariling kapakanan,” the senator said.

 During the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs hearing on the South Korean kidnap-slay last Thursday, Sen. Bam urged Dela Rosa to also focus on removing bad elements within the organization.

 “Self defeating kung hindi natin maaksyunan, malilinis at matatanggal ang mga ganitong klaseng gawain, parang humihina po iyong kalakasan natin dito sa war on drugs,” Sen. Bam told Dela Rosa.

 Dela Rosa, for his part, informed the committee that the PNP has 893 pending administrative cases against erring policemen while 228 were already resolved.

 Furthermore, Sen. Bam stressed that punishing those involved in the kidnapping and murder of the South Korean will help restore the public trust on the PNP.

 “Sa kasong ito, malinaw na ang mga personalities involved. Ang kailangan na lang alamin ay ang accountabilities at actions. Baka kahit papano, with a speedy resolution, mabalik nang kaunti ang tiwala,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

Bam: Nasaan ang pera at sino ang nakinabang?

Where’s the money and who benefited from it?

 Sen. Bam Aquino wants these questions answered when the Senate resumes its hearing on the “tokhang for ransom” incident involving the kidnap-slay of a South Korean businessman on Thursday (Feb. 2).

“Hindi namin na-tackle iyan pero tatalakayin natin iyan sa next hearing. The committee should get to the bottom of this,” said Sen. Bam.

 Choi Kyung-jin, wife of South Korean businessman Ick-joo Jee, claimed she gave P5 million ransom to the kidnappers last October 31, 2016.

“There was a statement from the PNP na nagkabayaran sa mall pero hindi nila na-monitor kasi ginawa ng pamilya na hindi nagsabi sa kapulisan,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam also urged Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to also focus on weeding out the bad elements in the organization, saying they undermine the government’s war against illegal drugs.

 During the hearing, Dela Rosa mentioned that the PNP has 893 pending administrative cases against erring policemen while 228 were already resolved.

 “The PNP must focus on cleaning up their ranks even more than the drug war. If they don’t clean up, their efforts will be futile because more of these bad elements in the PNP will take advantage of the current landscape,” Sen. Bam said.

 Aside from being worrisome, Sen. Bam stressed that reports of abuses shakes the foundation of the administration’s war against illegal drugs.

 The lawmaker said punishing those involved in the kidnapping and murder of the South Korean will help restore the public trust on the PNP.

 “Sa kasong ito, malinaw na ang mga personalities involved. Ang kailangan na lang alamin ay ang accountabilities at actions. Baka kahit papano, with a speedy resolution, mabalik nang kaunti ang tiwala,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

 Meanwhile, Sen. Bam revealed that the wife of the slain South Korean will not leave the leaving the country until justice is served over the abduction and murder of her husband.

 During a talk with the widow, Sen. Bam said Choi Kyung-jin expressed intent in staying in the country until her husband’s murder is resolved.

“She said she will stay in the Philippines and wait until justice is served for her husband. Palagay ko po (I believe) we owe it to her… to come to the conclusion of this case as soon as possible,” Aquino said.

 

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