DRUGS, KIDNAPPING MORE SERIOUS CRIMES THAN GAMBLING, SAYS MATHAY

Quezon City Rep. Ismael "Chuck" Mathay III urged yesterday the Philippine
National Police (PNP) to exert more efforts in its campaign against drug
trafficking, kidnaping and other organized crimes.

Mathay said drug trafficking and other heinous offenses are more dangerous
compared to illegal numbers game.

"The PNP force should not be demoralized amid charges that certain police
officials have failed to eliminate jueteng, they should exert more efforts
instead in their campaign against other heinous crimes," he said.

"Illegal drugs, kidnaping and other organized crimes hurt the economy more.
The peace and order problem is one reason why only few foreign investors
would want to come in and do business here," Mathay pointed out.

"Illegal drugs literally kill our people, millions of Filipinos are hooked
on drugs and it seems our police agencies are lagging behind in its campaign
to eradicate or even neutralize the people behind it," Mathay added.

According to Mathay, the police should catch a big fish to prove its
determination to propel forward the government campaign against the illegal
drugs trade.

"It's no news if the police would arrest drug pushers or addicts because
they are not the suppliers. The news is if the police could arrest big-time
drug lords in the country and see them on the death chamber," Mathay said.

Mathay also said that apart from corruption and red tape, one major concern
of foreign investors is the worsening kidnaping problem in the country.

"As much as they wanted to invest here, they dare not do for fear they might
be the next victims of the Abu Sayyaf and other kidnap-for-ransom gangs,"
Mathay said.

Furthermore, carnaping is one crime that the police should seriously keep a
tight watch over. Vehicles are being stolen in Metro Manila and nearby
provinces almost everyday," Mathay said.