PNP chief orders strict accounting of service vehicles

ILLEGALLY USED The motorcycle used by two of the four police officers arrested for the kidnapping of four foreigners in Pasay City in this June 5, 2024 photo. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Thursday (June 6) said he has ordered strict accounting of the police force's motorcycles and other mobile assets to prevent their use in illegal activities. NCRPO PHOTO

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Thursday said he has ordered a strict accounting of the police force's motorcycles and other mobile assets to prevent them from being illegally used.

  “I just ordered yung (the) HPG (Highway Patrol Group) director, (Brig.) Gen. (Jay) Cumigad na talagang hulihin talaga natin kung sino man yan, huhulihin ang mga nakalagay na police and let us account lahat ng motorcycles natin na ginagamit, na gagamitin or magagamit sa ganitong krimen (to apprehend those who use 'police' markings and account for all motorcycles that are being in these crimes),” Marbil said in a radio interview.

  The order came after two of the four police officers arrested for the June 2 kidnapping of four foreigners in Pasay City were found to be using a PNP motorcycle to commit the crime.

  The suspects are allegedly members of a kidnapping syndicate targeting foreigners.

  “We are not forgiving on this and right now, sabi ko nga ang ginagawa na modus operandi ng mga tao na ito is using civilian vehicles, civilian motorcycles na ginagawa nilang police motorcycle (As I have said, the modus operandi of these people, are using civilian vehicles or motorcycles and they make it appear as police motorcycles)," Marbil said.

  He said they are looking into the involvement of "Chinese spotters" who help the syndicate by identifying potential victims.

  "Should there be involvement of Chinese nationals, we would include this in our report so we can come up with a better policy and strategy regarding this matter,” he said.

  Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said they are looking into whether the suspects were involved in past crimes.

  In a statement, he said they would intensify the Oplan FAME (Fake and Moonlighting Escort) to combat fake and moonlighting escort activities.

  He said the NCRPO would work with the HPG to recover the vehicles used in the crime to establish potential links to past kidnapping cases and facilitate criminal charges against the suspects. PNA