Rody: Probe kidnapping of Chinese

MANILA, Philippines - Although his plate is full with the campaign against illegal drugs, President Duterte has directed his men to look into the rising incidents of kidnapping of Chinese nationals.

During a fellowship dinner of San Beda College of Law alumni at Malacañang last Sunday, Duterte said he has asked his men not to lose focus on smuggling and the kidnapping of Chinese nationals, some of whom were murdered even after paying ransom.

“For a time that I am busy with the drugs and the criminality (problems), what about murder-for-hire? How many (have been recorded in) Manila?” Duterte asked, later revealing that as of latest count, there had been 45 Chinese nationals who had been kidnapped.

In 2014, the Chinese embassy in Manila had called on authorities to look into the issue.

Meanwhile, Duterte said he would like to focus on drugs first amid calls for him to identify gambling lords and their protectors.

The President said he might spread government forces too thin if he wages battle on two fronts.

“I did not attack gambling now. Why? Because everyone might be off-focus, including the police,” Duterte said.

“Instead of focusing on drugs, we might be stretching warm bodies. If I focus on other things, how can we do it? After dealing with drugs, I still have a problem. There’s a network already. I’ll have to deal with two foes,” he added.

Duterte said those involved in illegal drugs could infiltrate gambling networks once their operations are suppressed.

“The structure is there. After that, the delivery (of drugs). Look at the dimension. They surrender by the thousands. Can you imagine the number?” he added. – Christina Mendez, Alexis Romero