Senator Grace Poe urged authorities to check into claims of human trafficking by organizations that set up foreign tours to lure their victims.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, she said that in light of the recent wave of kidnappings, including those connected to the exploitation of women, close coordination between the police and concerned government agencies is required.

“Ang nangyayari raw, may mga turistang pumupunta rito, pagdating nila rito nakikidnap sila tapos binebenta sa isang sindikato.” Poe said at the hearing that addressed the recent spate of kidnappings. “Pag nabawi na nu’ng sindikato yung nagastos nila saka lang pakakawalan ‘yung mga turista.”

She emphasized, “Malaking hamon sa kapulisan natin ito kaya kailangan talaga ang koordinasyon at dapat umpisahan na nating mag-imbestiga.”

The senator argued that the Bureau of Immigration should tighten its inspection of foreigners entering the country to make sure they are tourists and not victims of trafficking.

Poe also urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to collaborate with groups like the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which recently asked the government for assistance after receiving 56 reports of kidnapping in just 10 days.

She stated that according to data from the PNP Directorate for Legislative and Detective Management, there were 8,525 index crimes reported between January and March of this year and 8,469 crimes reported between June and August of 2022.

“Given this data, I’d like to point out that it still means an average of 15 murder and homicides, 14 rape cases, and 14 robberies occurring everyday. These are reported. Is this a normal situation?” the lawmaker questioned.

This calls into question the PNP’s recent assertion that there hasn’t been an increase in crime — just sensationalism, she continued.

Poe voiced concern at the reports of foreigners among the kidnap victims being tortured, threatened, and raped. According to reports, families are provided films of these atrocities in order to make them pay huge amounts of money.

She asked, “Are our authorities not worried about the possibility of escalation?”

Poe added that the PNP should choose a spokesperson to provide official information and statements.

Recently, there have been a lot of kidnappings, thus the PNP has to have a spokesman, she said. “Clear and accurate information will help solve the problem we are facing about kidnappings.”

Photo Credit: Senate of the Philippines Website