Ex-kidnap victim: Jee Ick Joo case not isolated; 11 others recorded since July

A former kidnapping victim on Wednesday insisted that the kidnap-slay of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo was not an isolated case, but an off-shoot of the controversial "Oplan Tokhang."

In an interview on News To Go, Ka Kuen Chua, chair of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), said he agreed with Sen. Panfilo Lacson's statement that the "kidnap-for-ransom" was not the first of its kind since July last year.

"Based on our data, July 19, mayroon nang ganoong klaseng kasong nangyari, so this is not an isolated case," Chua said.

"This is an off-shoot ng Tokhang. Ang nangyari ay due to the blanket authority given by the President. Although, we sincerely understand 'yung passion ni President para ma-solve 'yung krimen at droga. Sana marepaso ito, ma-review ng maigi bago mai-reinstate ang tokhang," he added.

Chua was kidnapped in 2008 and was held captive for 17 days before being rescued. His family paid for the ransom but he was not released immediately.

Chua said for the past few months, 11 Chinese nationals have been kidnapped in alleged "Tokhang-for-ransom" cases. He said that these victims were held for 24 to 48 hours.

"Buhay lahat sila. Buhay. Usually, ang nangyari sa kanila in 24 hours to 48 hours," Chua said.

"Sa grupo namin sa MRPO, once you are taken away unwillingly and ransom money was demanded, kidnapping ang classification namin. But for some, they classify it as extortion," he added.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Manila Police District are already reviewing the cases, according to Chua.

Meanwhile, Chua also appealed to the Chinese Embassy to assist witnesses who would want to testify in "Tokhang for ransom" cases. 

"Karamihan sa kanila, nagtatago sa takot. Hindi rin natin masisisi, sana it should be a team work. As I said in the Senate, there should be a complaint and they should file a case para mag-prosper ito," Chua said.

"We're encouraging 'yung mga biktima ng nangyari sa last few months to appear, to give their statement, to file a case," he added. 

While lauding the President for his efforts to cleanse the PNP, Chua still believed the administration should change its "style" in its fight against the illegal drug trade.

Chua also said that PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa should not resign from his post and instead deserved another chance to rid his agency of scalawags.  

"I do understand 'yung passion ni Presidente na linisin ang droga sa ating bansa. Siguro katulad ng sinabi ni Senator [Risa] Hontiveros, na kailangan ibahin ang istilo... tsaka it's time for them to suspend [Tokhang to give way to] cleansing and baguhin 'yung effectivity ng operasyon. I think it's a good sign," he said.

"But for the last seven months, we can feel the sincerity, the passion of our PNP Chief Dela Rosa in his work. I think we have to give him another chance to address this one. I think he's in a better position right now, to cleanse the PNP. He should stay," Chua added. — MDM, GMA News