Police establish foreigners network in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine National Police is strengthening the establishment of the Foreign National Keepers Network, a mechanism that aims to profile and account foreign nationals living in a particular area.

Superintendent Rodulfo Albotra Jr., head of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, said yesterday that he has directed station commanders in the province to start establishing the network in their respective areas.

“They will account for all foreign nationals in their area of responsibility and ask to join the FNKN,” Albotra said.

Profiling is necessary, Albotra explained, because it would make it easier to trace foreign nationals who are engaged in crimes. He said the network would also open communication lines between foreigners and local police.

Work will not only be on the part of authorities as the foreign nationals themselves will be asked to police their ranks, so to speak, something that foreigners are reportedly glad about.

“They are very grateful to have this program and we are willing to have a formal seminar and recruitment also kay whatever their needs and the PNP’s needs, then we have good collaboration,” Albotra said.

At present, only Moalboal town in the southwestern part of the province has established the network and a seminar has been conducted there. Albotra said they are eyeing Bantayan Island as their next stop owing to the influx of foreign nationals there.

Albotra said the decision to establish the network is stemmed from cases in the province that involved foreign nationals, including pornography.

Recently, Australian national Peter James Robinson was arrested in Cordova town for his alleged involvement in human trafficking and child pornography. Charges were filed against him at the prosecutor’s office.

The establishment of the network came about after super typhoon Yolanda hit the Visayas last year. Because communication lines were cut-off, countries that gave aid coordinated with the police and a scheme was established to make access to Yolanda-hit area easier. —/JMO (FREEMAN)