Lacson presents CCTV footage of cops allegedly planting drugs

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said the kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo was not an isolated case of police excesses, saying he has video evidence showing law enforcers committing crimes.

“This is not to put you on the spot, PNP (Philippine National Police). But just to impress upon you na hindi isolated. Because naisip ko rin, I have in my possession CCTV video ng iba pang ginagawa ng mga pulis natin,” Lacson said during Thursday’s Senate hearing on the alleged tokhang for ransom involving policemen.

“Wala namang mas sasama pa sa nangyari dito sa Korean, pero just for your information and to make it on record na hindi isolated at maraming nangyayaring ganito,” he added.

In the hearing, Lacson showed a video allegedly involving policemen planting shabu and stealing money from their victims.

“May mauuna rito, magp-plant ng shabu and then papasok 'yung riding party. These are police officers. Ninakawan pa ng equivalent to P7 million at nag-cough up pa ng addition P2 million,” the senator said.

He also said he received reports of 12 cases involving policemen from Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order.

One case involved a kidnap for ransom. “‘Yung isa, hinuli, kinidnap, pinatubos. Yung uncle, nag-arrive sa NAIA, nagbayad ng P1 million. Tapos maski nagbayad na, while in custody, nakapagwithdraw pa sa ATM ‘yung pulis,” Lacson said.

There are also several cases in Bulacan and Makati, he added.

"These are incidents to show there are really excesses being committed by our policemen. Kung hindi niyo mamo-monitor, hindi niyo malalaman, hindi niyo rin magagawan ng aksyon 'yung situation,” Lacson said.

On October 18, 2016, Jee was kidnapped from his house in Angeles City, Pampanga and was brought to Camp Crame where he was reportedly strangled to death. His body was never found, although a witness has claimed that it was brought to a funeral parlor in Caloocan and was cremated.

The victim's wife paid P5 million in ransom to the kidnappers without knowing that he was already dead. —JST, GMA News