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Pasay cops warn kidnap-for-ransom groups

By JEAN FERNANDO
April 30, 2009, 8:00pm

Pasay City policemen warned kidnap-for ransom (KFR) groups against operating in the city, saying that they have coordinated with village watchmen to step up the campaign against them.

Sr. Supt. Raul Petrasanta said that part of the police program on crime prevention is the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response program which is done in coordination with Pasay City Barangay Action Center.

It is conducted on a short-course program among the city’s 85 barangay officials and tanod.Petrasanta also said that the seminar will ensure safety for the communities.

He said that the program of Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad dubbed “Role of Barangay and Police in KFR prevention” is a success because many barangay officials are waiting for their turn to take part in the seminar.

“We have 201 barangays in the city and only 85 barangay officials have finished the short-course and the remaining will follow. The city government fully supports the project of the police for maintaining the peace and order around the city,’ Trinidad said.

The seminar will help barangay officials and their tanod prevent not only KFR groups but other crimes. "The seminar is a big help for the barangays because they will be informed of the modus operandi as well as the other activities of the KFR groups. They would know what to do in case a situation arises in the area,’’ Petrasanta said.

PACER Information Education Branch, Chief Insp. Nida Gimenez, who has called on 85 barangay officials and tanod as “Junior Bonds” or “Agents-009” were taught on how to identify suspicious persons, discreetly checking on the profile, spot safe houses and detect unusual behavioral patterns.

Gimenez explained that community involvement in preventing KFR group from succeeding is very important to the lawmen because the barangay officials are on the frontline.

“The police cannot be present all the time so the barangays are their eyes and ears,’ Gimenez added. The seminar aims to make the barangay officials and tanod more vigilant not only for preventing KFR but other crimes as well.

The program on kidnapping was launched in 2004 at the height of kidnapping cases in the Metro Manila and since then, the incidence of kidnapping in the metropolis has gone down.