PNP-AKG to send personnel to China to take Mandarin course

The Philippine National Police - Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) will send three of its personnel to China next month to study Mandarin which will help in solving the increasing number of Chinese-related kidnapping incidents.

"May tatlo na tayong papunta this September sa China at 'yun nga, nagkaroon tayo ng coordination with Chinese Consul police... pinromise nila na we can send two to three personnel para mag-aral ng Mandarin courses," PNP-AKG spokesman Police Lieutenant Colonel Elmer Cereno told reporters.

"Ito kasi 'yung nagiging problema natin 'pag may nare-rescue tayong mga Chinese at saka nahuhuli tayong mga kidnappers na Chinese rin. Kailangan muna nating mag-hire ng interpreter para malaman natin kung ano talaga ang puno't dulo ng pagkidnap sa kanila," he said, noting that when police are hiring a private interpreter, it is being paid per hour.

Cereno said the Mandarin course, which will be shouldered by the Chinese Consul, would take more or less a month. He added that the PNP-AKG is targeting around 20 personnel to take the Mandarin course.

"Mostly ang kuwan natin dito 'yung mga negotiator na palaging nagnenegotiate atsaka mga imbestigador, 'yun 'yung priority natin na papupuntahin para mag-aral..." Cereno said.

Cereno earlier bared that more than 50 casino-related kidnapping incidents have been recorded from 2017. A total of 120 Chinese nationals, meanwhile, have been nabbed by authorities. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News