Dear ‘Sir Chief’ PNP

“Saurom believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I found that it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”

Gandalf The Gray / The Hobbit

Dear “Sir Chief PNP – Ric Marquez,

Having grown up under the shadow of Manila’s Finest namely Jimmy Barbers, Dong Adolfo, Escarcha, Lagasca et al; having seen the likes of Fred Lim in action as they hunted down a cop-killer and arrested the man even if he was the son of a policeman; I know for a fact that when the PNP or Philippine National Police wants to get a criminal  – They Will!

It is never “if” it is simply when. I have seen elements of the PNP hunt down fugitives as far away as Coron, Palawan and in spite of all the bad press the PNP has earned rightly and wrongly, I know that our police, just like the claims of the Canadian Mounties: always get their men.

So today, as a reflection of how strongly I feel about an “incident,” I am writing this column and dedicating it especially to you because I am embarrassed, ashamed and indignant about how a particular crime seems to have been written off into thin air. Here, Sir, are the particulars:

Three days ago, Aug 31 to be precise, Japanese nationals Kawashina Yuki, 29, and Shingo Kumagawa, 28, arrived at NAIA at 1:30 a.m., took a taxi and asked to be brought to the Sogo Hotel in Malate. Upon arrival, the two got out to unload their bags but the taxi driver sped off with all their valuables. This is the second such incident in 3 months. To make matters worse, the police officer on duty, PO3 Jay Jacob is quoted as saying that the PNP could not assist the two because the victims were not able to get the cab’s plate number. Could not?

In a world with bigger problems, I suppose it would be a lot simpler for authorities to say: Sorry for your loss. But I personally cannot sit here and just repeat after them. What we have lost here is whatever respect and good reputation we, Filipinos had that was enough to convince these two individuals to come to the Philippines as “our” guests and not just tourists. As a consequence of that crime, two Japanese nationals will be returning to their homeland with their horror stories and will understandably tell their friends and relatives about their sad experience.

As Chief of the PNP and having traveled to many places, I know you must have heard if not experienced the legendary honesty and courtesy of the Japanese especially towards tourists who are clearly lost or confused in their city or neighborhoods. I myself have been touched by such kindness while asking directions for a place to have authentic Japanese food. The kind gentleman pondered for a minute smiled and then motioned for me to follow him. I thought he was going to point out directions, but instead he walked several corners away from where he was headed and brought me to a place he referred to as his “favorite.”

Almost a year ago, November 5, 2014 to be exact, social media went red hot over a story about a Vietnamese employee who had saved his salary for many months, travelled to Singapore and while there bought an iPhone 6 for his girlfriend. Sadly, Mr. Pham Van Thoai was hoodwinked into paying for unnecessary insurance and literally begged on his knees for a refund. The image was recorded and uploaded and resulted in people getting together to do a crowd-funding campaign amounting to over S$12,900 to recompense Pham for his horror and humiliation. To his credit, Pham only took S$550 the exact amount he was cheated of by the shop called Mobile Air in Sim Lim Square.

As far as the Netizens and Singaporeans were concerned Pham was the victim of a crime and that reflected not just on Mobile Air, not only on Singapore, but also on Singaporeans. They knew very well that they needed to act quickly in terms of “Reputation Management” because their reputation mattered! This is the very reason why I have written this article in the form of a letter to the Chief PNP PDG Ric Marquez.

Our reputation matters. 

Like I said, I know the PNP can get the criminal especially someone as petty as this taxi-robber. I have long been campaigning against the illegal taxis at NAIA but NAIA General Manager Honrado chooses to bury his head in the sand along with that excuse-making spokesman of his. His counterpart in Japan would already be profusely apologizing for the incident regardless of whether it happened in his area or jurisdiction. But Honrado and the NAIA Police Chief simply don’t care and won’t do anything about illegal taxis and contractors as well as criminal elements except issue press releases and send their spokesperson out because they are “Untouchables” in the PNoy Misadministration.

It is common knowledge that nobody does business in NAIA without the NAIA “Mafia’s” knowledge and permission. If pressure were put to bear on the head of the Airport Security Police as well as those running the Airport Transport Management, the PNP would surely be able to find the taxi-robber through logs, CCTVs, or simply word of mouth. Failing in that, the General Assignments Section of MPD should be sent out to track down CCTVs along the path that the taxi-robber took.

I’ve just spent a good part of the morning talking to PSSupt. Susan Jalla of the Directorate for Police Community Relations who looked into the matter and she informed me that MPD officials under PCSupt Rolando Nana extended assistance to the two Japanese nationals who promptly left the country after three hours! It may be too late to extend genuine Filipino courtesy to them but in terms of Reputation Management I hope “Sir Chief,” DOT Secretary Mon Jimenez, and Filipino Netizens can get together and redeem our selves one way or another. And lets also put a stop to authorities writing off crimes as “unfortunate incidents.” Because they are not. A crime is a crime and it needs to be solved, addressed and dealt with, not merely dismissed.

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Email: [email protected].