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KASABAY ng papuri sa pagsagip sa 14-anyos na Chinese national na dinukot noong nakaraang linggo, hinimok ni Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers ang Philippine National Police (PNP) na mas paigtingin pa nito ang pagtugis sa tinaguriang ‘POGO-like’ syndicates.
Ayon kay Barbers, ang ipinamalas na dedikasyon at kahusayan ng mga awtoridad, partikular ng mga operatiba ng PNP-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), para matukoy ang kinaroroonan at ligtas na mabawi ang biktima sa kabila ng delikadong sitwasyon ay nararapat lamang na ikalugod at suportahan ng publiko.
“The disturbing details surrounding this case, including the cutting of the victim’s finger to pressure his family for ransom, are a chilling reminder of the brutal and inhumane tactics employed by criminal syndicates operating in our country. It is even more alarming that authorities have linked this crime to groups associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs)—an industry already banned but whose criminal remnants continue to wreak havoc in our communities, wika ni Barbers.
Sinabi ng beteranong Mindanaoan lawmaker na ang mga illegal POGO ang tunay na ugat ng iba’t-ibang uri ng karumal-dumal na krimen sa bansa, tulad ng money laundering, espionage, cyber hacking, at wiretapping, gayundin sa murder, kidnapping for ransom, rape, prostitution, at torture.
“This latest incident, involving the abduction of a minor, is further proof that these criminal networks will continue to threaten public safety,” dagdag ng kongresista.
“The government must not stop at rescuing the victim. I urge our law enforcement agencies to pursue all those responsible for this barbaric act and bring the full force of the law upon them. Every individual involved—whether they are directly responsible or part of a larger criminal network—must be held accountable. We cannot afford to wait for another child, another innocent life, to be put in danger,” panawagan pa ng Surigao del Norte solon.
Nagtataka naman si Barbers kung bakit sa kabila nang pagdedeklara ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ng total ban sa POGO ay hindi pa rin napapa-deport ang mga opisyal at tauhan ng huli
“And worse, (they) were set free. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to conclude that these freed personalities continue to engage in illegal activities including these criminal acts. As long as they are free and remain in our country, these crimes will continue. All law enforcement agencies must work for the apprehensions and immediate deportations of all arrested foreigners involved in POGO operations,” aniya pa.
“This incident is not just a crime against one family—it is an assault on the safety of our society. We, as public servants, owe it to the people to dismantle these criminal enterprises once and for all. I stand with the PNP-AKG and all our law enforcement agencies in the fight against organized crime, and I will continue to push for stronger policies to protect our communities from the lingering threats posed by these outlawed POGO operations,” pagtatatapos ni Barbers. (ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II)
