MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is focusing its effort to address the series of kidnapping in Mindanao, mostly involving Chinese-Filipino businessmen, a senior government official said Tuesday. "Those (kidnapping incidents) are now being given attention by the PNP in that area," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a news briefing. Lacierda acknowledged the concerns raised by Teresita Ang-See, chairman of the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order and spokesperson for the Citizens' Action Against Crime, regarding the rising kidnapping incidents in the south.
Ang-See blamed the alleged politicization of promotions inside the PNP for the increasing number of abduction cases in Mindanao. She said some good policemen who are doing their jobs were not promoted or were transferred because of politics. But Lacierda denied the politicization in the PNP, saying "the PNP is acting very professional." At least three kidnap cases occurred last month involving Chinese-Filipinos who were only released after paying ransom.
