Before making public any “updates” on their investigation into kidnapping cases, the Philippine National Police may need to be sensitive and think about the kidnap victims’ families first.
This was the reminder of former Senator and PNP chief and 2025 senatorial candidate Ping Lacson, as he said there is no gain in prematurely sharing information with the public.
Lacson cited the kidnap-slay of businessman Anson Que, where the PNP was quoted in reports as saying it is looking into the possible involvement of a group involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).
“It’s a double whammy for the victim’s family.”
Que’s family denied any connections of the slain trader to POGO, even as they maintained they will cooperate with the PNP.
“It’s a double whammy for the victim’s family. They are still mourning the killing of Mr. Que, then they come out with such information. It is painful for the family,” he said in Filipino in an interview on Bombo Radyo Cebu, when asked about the issue.
Lacson said that when he was solving kidnapping incidents as a law enforcer, he would practice discipline in making sure no information or lead is leaked to the public before the case is solved.
This way, he said they also avoid tipping off kidnappers on their next moves.
“Telegraphing information to the public will not do good to the investigation or the work they are conducting now,” Lacson stressed.
“Solve the case first. When everything is clear, that’s the time they announce everything.”
“What the PNP should do instead is to solve the case first. When everything is clear, that’s the time they announce everything,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lacson said that while an inter-agency task force against kidnapping is a welcome move, it is still not enough as the main thing that will regain public trust is still to solve the case.
“What will regain the public’s trust is the resolution of the cases and bringing the perpetrators before the bar of justice,” he concluded.
