Press statement of Senator Loren Legarda

On Mindanao kidnapping

The kidnapping of a four-year-old boy emphasizes the gravity of the kidnapping problem in Central Mindanao, in which at least six people, mostly locals, had been victimized. It can be assumed that some other kidnapping incidents had not been reported to the police, with the families of those nabbed quietly paying ransom to ensure the safety of kins.

While the kidnapping of three Red Cross workers had put the spotlight on the problem, the perception is that government, particularly law enforcement authorities, are not doing enough to stop the operation of kidnap for ransom groups. Kidnapping will persist unless government is able to apprehend and successfully prosecute those behind kidnappings.

On coming SONA

The President must tell the true state of our nation in her upcoming SONA instead of regaling us with the purported achievements of her administration. The bottom line is that the majority of Filipinos are poor and are disillusioned with government promises that remained just that -- promises.

It is already too late in the day for the President to be telling the nation what her administration intends to do to alleviate the plight of our countrymen. What is needed is sincerity and candidness in telling the people where we really stand.