Torre assures foreigners:`Our laws apply equally to all’
Newly designated Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III assured foreigners in the Philippines that the country’s laws “applied equally to all, regardless of nationality.” –INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Newly designated Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III assured foreigners in the Philippines that the country’s laws “applied equally to all, regardless of nationality.”
Torre made this statement in a speech as he took over the command of the PNP in a ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Monday.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila and, more recently, the United States State Department have issued advisories warning travelers to be cautious of instability in the country.
Nonetheless, Torre stressed, “To our foreign guests and residents, we are happy that you have chosen the Philippines to be your second home. I promise that all of our laws apply equally to all, regardless of nationality.”
“We are committed to upholding everyone’s rights, safety, and dignity, including yours,” he added.
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When asked about other nations’ advisories cautioning them of traveling to the Philippines, in a press briefing also in Camp Crame after taking command, Torre conceded: “Yun ang naramdaman nila. Yun ang boses ng taumbayan. Yun ang challenge namin ngayon.”
(That’s what they felt. That’s the voice of the people. That’s our challenge now.)
After a series of kidnappings involving Filipino-Chinese individuals earlier this year, the PNP set up help desks for that community’s complaints and intensified patrolling in areas that foreigners frequented.
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Further, last May, PNP and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission officials met with representatives of the Korean consulate and community to discuss cooperation between the two nations’ police agencies to deter crimes against Koreans in the Philippines.
