NCRPO coordinates with POGO firms vs kidnappings

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has started coordinating with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator firms to prevent kidnapping of POGO workers, an official said yesterday.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the NCRPO leadership has reached out to POGO companies amid the reported rise in kidnapping cases involving POGO workers, mostly Chinese citizens.

“We are doing this para maiwasan ang kidnapping of Chinese workers in the country. Since foreign nationals ang involved dito, we want to make sure na hindi natin sila mao-offend and at the same time, we need to explain our laws and policies,” Fajardo said.

Despite the reported increase in POGO-related kidnappings, Fajardo said she does not consider police security in the country to be lax.

“We don’t see it that way – na maluwag ang ating mga batas. In fact, this is the reason why we are exerting efforts to coordinate with our foreign counterparts, because it concerns transnational crimes,” she said.

“Dahil open ‘yung POGO business dito, ito rin iyong nakikitang opportunity ng mga criminals, particularly those of Chinese descent, to victimize their compatriots,” Fajardo added.

Police data showed that 27 kidnapping cases were recorded from January to September. Of the number, 15 were related to kidnapping of POGO workers.