PNP to be stricter on uniforms following Laguna kidnapping incident

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it is implementing stricter rules regarding its purchase of police uniforms following the kidnapping incident in San Pablo, Laguna that led to a shootout, killing five suspects wearing fatigue uniforms and a police woman.

"Well, unang-una kaya nga natin hinihigpitan 'yung pagbili ng uniform, kailangan na kailangan 'yan. Although talagang meron pa rin kahit saan kasing tindahan kung minsan puwede kang magpagawa ng uniporme lalo na kung sa mga mumurahing tailoring 'no? Kaya ito mahigpit nating binabantayan," incoming PNP chief Director Oscar Albayalde said in an Unang Balita interview.

Albayalde said that in the case of the Laguna kidnapping, the suspects were informed that their kidnap victim, Ronaldo Arguelles, had money to pay his bail since he was an alleged drug personality.

"Meron kasing mga ganyan, alam nila kung sino ang may pera na lalong-lalo na 'yung mga big time na drug pusher at 'pag ikaw nahuli siyempre natural ikaw ay makikipag-areglo kaagad. Maraming nangyaring ganyan," he said.

"Remember way back years, 'yung isang napakayamang drug pusher from Pangasinan ilang beses ni-raid ng iba't-ibang ahensya at nu'ng wala na siyang maisuka ay lumabas na, nagsalita siya sa public. Ganyan din 'yang mga 'yan, identified kasi talaga kung sino talaga 'yung mabilis sumuka ng pera," Albayalde added.

Arguelles, who also sustained minor injuries, is a high-value target included in the drug list of Police Regional Office 4A.

Police Officer 1 Sarah Mae Andal of Candelaria Municipal Police Station was hailed as a hero after she lost her life in the shooting incident. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News