SAN Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada expressed apprehension that the worsening crime situation in the country could undermine whatever gain the Aquino administration has achieved so far.
Ejercito Estrada made the statement following a series of high-profile crimes in recent days. These crimes were committed amid an existing gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
He cited the assassination of Maconacon, Isabela Mayor Erlinda Domingo, the killing of Filipino-Chinese businessman Kelvin Tan in San Juan City, and the robbery of a jewelry store inside SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. Before the PNP could even apprehend the suspects in the SM Megamall heist, a money transfer shop in Paranaque City and a pawn shop in Valenzuela City were also robbed.
The solon from San Juan said it appears that criminals have become more brazen because of the gun ban.
“Araw-araw ay may mga pangyayari. Mukhang di nagiging epektibo ang pagpapatupad ng gun ban,” Ejercito Estrada said.
The young lawmaker called on the PNP to immediately focus on maintaining peace and order in the country not only to ensure the safety of Filipinos but also to assure foreign investors.
He noted that the peace and order situation has a big impact on the investment decisions of foreign businessmen.
“The burden of ending this crime wave rests upon PNP chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima who can’t seem to wait to be appointed that his predecessor Nicanor Bartolome was forced to retire earlier. Ngayon, paano nya susugpuin ang dumaraming krimen sa bansa?” said Ejercito Estrada.
Ejercito Estrada also criticized the PNP for effecting revamps of chiefs of police in local government units including San Juan without prior consultation from local chief executives.
“Dito supposedly dapat kinonsulta kami kasi gusto namin may kumpiyansa kami para may
magandang working relationship kami. Pero this time, for election purposes, ay naglagay ng OIC na hindi man lamang namin kilala. Malamang ang mga kriminal (ay mag-take dvantage), kasi siyempre ‘pag bago ang OIC, hindi pa niya kilala iyong terrain niya, nangangapa pa ‘yan,” he said.
The young lawmaker said the appointment of OICs to replace Chiefs of Police all over the country for “election purposes” has backfired and has probably caused the recent crime wave.
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Press Release
January 30, 2013
