With the midterm elections a few months away, intelligence reports indicate that some local officials have linked up with kidnap-for-hire gangs, presumably to raise funds for their campaign.
The intel reports, although still to be verified, have prompted the national police leadership to monitor the situation, especially in Mindanao, where kidnappings are rampant.
According to PNP chief Director General Oscar Alabayalde, the PNP is still validating reports of “active collusion” by some local politicians who may be engaged in such activities “presumably for fund raising purposes.”
“Reports of this nature have been monitored in some parts of Mindanao, particularly in known areas of operation of kidnapping gangs,” Alabayalde told reporters in a press briefing.
“This is quite dangerous because of upcoming elections, especially in Mindanao where kidnapping still happening,” he added.
Albayalde, however, said that it is difficult to conclude that there was collusion among politicians and criminal element but stressed that there was still a need to monitor their activities.
“Unang una hindi pa natin ma-establish na there is collusion. Napakahirap, but sometimes you just have reason to believe na merong collusion ‘yan. ‘Yung kasing pagkuha ng physical evidence, ‘yung parang magli-link doon sa political or local chief executive, napakahirap,” (We haven’t established that there is collusion. It’s very difficult to dod that, but sometimes you just have reason to believe there is collusion. Sometimes getting physical evidence that would link a political or local chief executive is very difficult.) he said.
The PNP chief added that even the exact number of those who have alleged links with criminal elements are still being verified.
But he assured the public that they will only build a case against politicians based on intelligence reports gathered and validated by the PNP.
Meanwhile, the PNP said it will go after police personnel who will be found inside casinos or any gambling places in the country.
Albayalde said those who will be caught will face outright dismissal from service “at the very least,”
The PNP chief made the announcement in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s warning the police not to enter Okada Manila, a casino in Parañaque City which he described was a place for “the lowlife in society.”
“They will face dismissal… from the service because that is a violation of a direct order,” Albayalde told reporters.
The PNP chief also reminded police that aside from Duterte’s warning, existing laws prohibit police officers and uniformed personnel from entering casinos or gambling establishments.
He cited the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, various presidential decrees, and Memorandum Circular 6 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in 2016, as among the pertinent laws on the ban.
Albayalde, however, said that he does not know of any specific incident of violation on the part of uniformed personnel in recent times, but added that the PNP continues its monitoring of its personnel.
“Sometimes kasi meron kasing namomonitor despite the cautions, despite these reminders…kung minsan, in spite of these reminders meron talagang matigas ang ulo,” he said.
(Sometimes there are those we monitor despite the cautions, despite the reminders… in spite of these reminders, sometimes there are those who are just hard-headed.)
President Duterte earlier said he would also send soldiers to patrol the area (Okada’s casino) should he “lose his patience.”
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