SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian praised law enforcement authorities on Wednesday for successfully rescuing a student who was kidnapped from an international school.

The operation, which was carried out jointly by police and military forces, resulted in the safe recovery of the victim, who had been abducted the previous week.

However, Gatchalian emphasized that while the rescue was a positive development, justice must still be served, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

The senator condemned the crime, calling it a reprehensible act that must not be tolerated. He vowed that fear and violence would not be allowed to prevail in communities, assuring that law enforcement agencies would continue to track down those responsible.

“While justice is yet to be pursued, no criminal will be safe. The law will hunt them down to the very end,” Gatchalian stated.

He noted that the incident serves as a wake-up call for schools to bolster their security measures. He urged educational institutions to prioritize the safety of their students and called for heightened vigilance and improved security protocols.

According to Gatchalian, preventing such incidents requires a collective effort from schools, parents, local government units, and law enforcement.

Gatchalian also linked the crime to the continued presence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which he has long sought to eradicate. He reiterated his stance that these operations contribute to lawlessness, fear, and danger in communities.

“We cannot and must not allow their criminal operations to continue,” he stressed.