NCRPO seeks Senate support in implementing Oplan Sita for foreigners

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday asked the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs for its support in implementing Oplan Sita for foreign nationals.

NCRPO regional director Police Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo made the appeal during the Senate panel’s hearing on alleged kidnapping cases.

“Ang plano ko sana ‘yung ipapauso ko ‘yung Oplan Sita sa lahat ng mga foreign national. Example, may checkpoint… Oplan Sita kapag nakitang Chinese ka, ID, ID ‘yung mga ganon ba sir,” Estomo said.

In response, committee chairperson Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa asked Estomo what prevented him from implementing the program.

“Desparate times need desparate measures. You take the desperate measure na sitahin mo, hanapan mo ng— gawin mo,” Dela Rosa said.

However, Senator Grace Poe warned that there is a danger in stopping all foreign nationals, asking Dela Rosa if this was allowed under Philippine Law.

“Ano ‘to ‘pag merong sasakyan ‘pag makita mo Chinese national, pipigilan mo, ganon? May danger diyan,” Poe said.

“I mean, ako talagang gusto kong mahuli ang mga salbahe na ‘yan, mga sindikato, pero kunyari may na suspetyahan lang kayo, mukhang Chinese ito, pipiglan ko ito, Mr. Chair pwede ba ‘yan sa batas natin,” she added.

Dela Rosa said police officers have an “instinct” and that the plan could be implemented randomly.

“May instict siya na ito mukhang may baril itong dinadalang mga tao na ito. Pwede ko siguro itong sisitahin. Plain view, plain view doctrine… hindi naman ‘yung talagang purposive,” he said.

Poe, meanwhile, stressed that there must be cause to do so.

“We can’t discriminate. But when it comes to the safety of our countrymen, that’s the priority. So dapat merong cause. Siguro ‘yung rehistro nung sasakyan nila bakit walang plate number o kaya ang iitim ng tint o kaya nag ka-cut ng traffic,” Poe said.

She later asked the NCRPO to submit its proposal to the committee.

Senator Imee Marcos later said that the Land Transportation Office and the  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board could aid the police.

“DIto sa Oplan Sita, obvious naman pwede natin gamitin at patulungin ang LTO, ang LTFRB para sabay ang lakad. Kasi madali sila mag-sita,” she said. — RSJ, GMA News