Metro Manila, Philippines – A task force on anti-kidnapping will be created to quickly act on reports from victims, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said after the killing of abducted Filipino-Chinese businessman Anton Tan and his driver.
The Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will compose the group.
In a press conference on Friday, April 11, Remulla said the task force will directly reach out to the people when the crime happens.
“Ang problema [The problem is], when these things happen, a lot of them don’t trust. Maraming [There are several] doubts about law enforcement and government… They’d rather do it themselves,” the justice chief said.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said exchanging information would be easier with the task force.
“Alam n’yo sa intelligence world, meron kaming tinatawag na compartmentalization, trabaho ng isa, hindi sa’min pwedeng i-share. But then, with this task force that will be created by our secretary, napakaganda na niyan. So, makakapagtulungan kami,” he said.
[Translation: In the intelligence world, we have what we call compartmentalization, one’s work cannot be shared to us. But then, with this task force that will be created by our secretary, it will improve.]
Meanwhile, PNP chief PGen Rommel Marbil said the police have leads on the case of Tan.
Tan was in the steel business. He and his driver were found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal on April 9 after they were kidnapped late March. Police reported that there were signs of strangulation on the bodies.
