New anti-kidnap czar vows results

BUTUAN CITY — New anti-kidnapping czar Angelo Reyes has not been given any deadline by President Arroyo to stop kidnapping.

However, Reyes assured the public that he will "neutralize" the kidnapping incidents because this menace is discouraging investors and frightening tourists from coming to the country.

"I never turned my back on any job offered to me especially if that opportunity is giving me a chance to serve my country and I knew I can make a difference," he said.

Speaking before the Confederation of United Boholanos of Caraga Region, Reyes said the success of the government’s campaign against kidnappers and other criminals lies in the cooperation of civilians coupled with proper public advocacy and dissemination of information.

"(Let’s) set aside politics as of the moment," he said. "Trabaho muna bago politika kung talagang uukol na tayo’y tulungan ng Diyos na maging senador o ano pa man ay darating din na kusa sa kahit na kanino man."

Reyes said he will form an anti-kidnapping task force with the help of the Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Justice, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and the private sector.

Reyes said law enforcers involved in kidnapping and other crimes should be severely punished to prevent others from imitating them.

He will take his oath as anti-kidnapping czar today before Mrs. Arroyo in Malacañang, Reyes added.

Mrs. Arroyo has given the PNP a six-month deadline to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.

More than 40 percent of people in the Caraga region trace their ancestry to Bohol.

The gathering of Boholanos was initiated by a group headed by Caraga police regional director Alberto Rama Olario, Bislig City Mayor Frank Garay and Buenavista, Agusan del Norte Mayor Nenita Racho. – Ben Serrano