(Eagle News) – The Senate is now hearing the “Tokhang for Ransom” cases ailing the Philippine National Police, prompted by the scandal on the kidnap-slaying of Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo in October last year.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, head of the senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said this investigation should be done as the reputation of the national polie force had been tarnished with Jee Ick-Joo’s killing that had even reached international media, and shocked the South Korean government. It was also became a shame of the PNP, as acknowledged by the PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.
Lacson said the pride and integrity of the PNP, especially as the nation commemorated the valor of the PNP-Special Action Forces (PNP-SAF) men who were killed in action in the Mamasapano tragedy, was blotted out by the shameful acts of some of the PNP personnel.
PNP chief dela Rosa said the PNP fully supported the senate probe as they would also want to get to the bottom of the Korean’s abduction and killing by certain rogue policemen, right inside the PNP’s headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“We share the observation of Senator Panfilo Lacson that the Jee Ick Joo case should serve as an eye-opener not only for the PNP, but for the entire justice system,” Dela Rosa said during the start of the senate inquiry.
Dela Rosa said the probe would hopefully put the various pieces of the puzzle together on the Jee Ick-Joo case and that the result of the probe would help the Senate to file the appropriate pieces of legislation that would help the PNP to cleanse its ranks and maintain its integrity.
Attending the Senate inquiry was the wife of the slain Korean businessman, and police officers who conducted the investigation.
The hearings also aim to dis discuss Senate Resolution 265 aiming to craft legislation for faster investigation and prosecution of cops involved in crime.