GMA bats for high-tech crime prevention

Noting that most kidnap-for-ransom cases usually involve the family drivers of victims, President Arroyo batted yesterday for the use of modern technology as a first line of defense against crime.

The President suggested to families, especially the wealthy ones, to get online and browse through the website of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to determine if a potential employee is clean of any criminal record.

Mrs. Arroyo gave this piece of advice during a presentation at Malacañang of four kidnap-for-ransom suspects arrested for the kidnapping of Sarah Kathleen Pacquing last month.

"I urge everyone to use this means as a first line of defense against hiring potential threats to your family’s safety. The criminal justice system provides several ways to verify if a person has criminal record, through NBI, police and barangay clearances," the President said.

She recalled that the kidnapping of Filipino-Chinese Mary Grace Rogasas in June last year also involved the family driver, who was identified as Florante Concepcion.

Mrs. Arroyo commended the newly-created Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) for the arrest of Concepcion last month, almost a year after the Rogasas kidnapping.

In the Pacquing kidnap-for-ransom case, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the victim’s driver, Nelson Pilar of Ilocos Sur, was part of the group that abducted her.

During police interrogation, Pilar admitted to providing other gang members with information on the victim’s movement. Pacquing was snatched on July 23 and released a week later after her family paid ransom.

Based on a police report, Pilar had been charged with various crimes in the past. He has a standing warrant of arrest for rape issued by the Las Piñas court.

The President noted that Pilar was hired by the family because he produced fake documents, including NBI clearance.

Mrs. Arroyo said she has been holding discussions with Justice Secretary Hernando Perez on the issuance of clearances through the NBI website.

"We are working for a system wherein the employer can get the NBI clearance online instead of asking one from the applicant," she said.

The President noted that the technology has been helping government agencies in spotting irregularities. She cited the audit system applied by the Bureau of Internal Revenue computer center, which was recently able to detect some P4 billion in value-added tax underdeclarations by 300 firms.

"It’s really better to do everything online. We have to use technology in order to fight crime and ensure the safety of the people," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Honasan backs anti-terror drive

Sen. Gregorio Honasan expressed his support yesterday to the recent bold initiatives taken by President Arroyo to defeat criminal syndicates and terrorist organizations operating in the Philippines.

"I believe that rising criminality and terrorism constitute serious threats to our national security and it is our collective duty to join hands to defend our nation and our people," Honasan said.

In the anti-terrorism front, he urged his Senate colleagues to ensure the early passage of the proposed administration bill calling for toughter measures against terrorist organizations and their accomplices.

The senator cited the proposed creation of a superbody known as the Anti-Terrorism Commission that will unify the efforts of the government – including its legislative and judicial branches, to combat these threats.

In fighting criminality, Honasan batted for the upgrading of the equipment and specialized training of the Philippine National Police and military forces to enhance their capability in neutralizing criminal syndicates. In this connection, he expressed readiness to support any additional budgetary allocation to fund these priority activities. — Marichu Villanueva