MANILA — The Philippine National Police on Tuesday said it was strengthening efforts to prevent and address the rise of kidnapping cases in the country.

PNP Director for Police Community Relations Maj. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba said this following the abduction and murder of steel magnate Anson Que and his driver earlier this month.

Alba also made the assurance after the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption called for a stronger government response towards kidnapping cases. VACC said concerns about the country’s peace and order situation could hurt the Philippine economy as well as the chances of administration bets in the upcoming midterm polls. 

Alba noted that there were ongoing efforts to restructure the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group to further strengthen its capability to prevent and address kidnapping cases. 

The PNP is engaging with the Filipino-Chinese community on the matter and recommended the creation of the Chinese-Filipino community Help Desk.

Alba said the PNP was set to hold pilot tests for the program in areas with a high concentration of Chinese-Filipinos, such as in Binondo, Manila, as well as in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Central Luzon. 

"Now if we see that magiging successful iyong project na ito po ay ito pong long term, isa sa mga long-term solution or interventions ng PNP na ma-address po natin iyong mga incidents na ganito po," he said.