GMA abolishes anti-crime body

President Arroyo announced yesterday the abolition of the National Anti-Crime Commission (NACC) as she gave the incoming new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) one year to "eliminate kidnappings."

Asked what he would do if he failed to reduce the kidnapping rate in one year, newly appointed PNP chief Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane said, "then I’ll have to go."

"I’m comfortable with that (deadline)," he said.

He said he felt bound by Mrs. Arroyo’s commitment and said that when a year passes, "I would even remind her" of her statement.

Mrs. Arroyo told a gathering of 1,000 Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Pasay City on Wednesday night that the NACC would be dismantled when Ebdane assumes his new post as PNP chief on July 4.

She said she decided to abolish the task force so there will be "one person to fight kidnappings," referring to Ebdane. She gave him "full authority and accountability to eliminate kidnappings."

"He feels he can do it because he is counting on your support to be able to do it," Mrs. Arroyo said in her speech at the first Dr. Jose P. Rizal Awards for Excellence honoring Chinese-Filipinos for their contributions to the nation.

Ebdane will replace Director General Leandro Mendoza, who had been appointed by Mrs. Arroyo to head the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Ebdane heads the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF), which was created by the President last year to combat the kidnapping scourge in the country.

Mrs. Arroyo urged the Chinese-Filipino community to give Ebdane all the help he needs. "Since he has the support of the Chinese-Filipino community, his main challenge is to eliminate kidnappings in one year," she said. "With your choice at the helm of the PNP, let us work to eradicate kidnap gangs."

Ebdane said the abolition of the NACC was a "good development since we will have just one lead agency, which is the PNP."

His new mission did not come without embarrassment, however. – With AFP