Senate sets probe into ‘tokhang for ransom’ on Thursday

Senate sets probe into ‘tokhang for ransom’ on Thursday (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—The Senate inquiry into the kidnap for ransom cases allegedly perpetrated by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the guise as an “Oplan Tokhang” operation is scheduled on Thursday (January 26).

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, sought a probe in the wake of the abduction of Korean businessman, Jee Ick-Joo, who was eventually killed in Camp Crame last week.

Lacson, who is former PNP chief, said the inquiry had the end view of speeding up what he described as the “seeming slow and soft” action of the PNP on the perpetrators.

He said this was not the first time “tokhang” was used as cover-up for kidnap for ransom activities citing an incident last August 2016 in Bulacan wherein a friend was also taken from the premises of his own home on the pretext of his alleged drug activities.

The senator meanwhile urged PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa anew to prioritize cleaning the police ranks.

PNP’s Oplan Tokhang involves police officers visiting houses of suspected drug users and traders to persuade them to stop their involvement in the illegal drugs trade.