Kidnapping of Chinese student an isolated case —FFCCCII

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc.(FFCCCII) said the recent kidnapping of a Chinese student was an isolated incident, following concerns raised by some business groups about the peace and order situation that might affect businesses in the country.

"It’s just isolated naman eh… Not all over the Philippines, so para sa akin ok lang 'yan. I mean isolated kasi itong POGO, mga remnants, mga loko-loko,” said FFCCCII president Cecilio Pedro on a "24 Oras" report by Maki Pulido.

The Philippine Exporters Confederation and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said it would be hard to generate more investments if the country's peace and order situation was unstable.

“Nag uusap-usap kami ng business associates. It looks like they’re really concerned,” said Sergio Ortiz-Luis of the Philippine Exporters Confederation.

“How can we encourage investors to go to our country if we can’t guarantee them their safety?” added Eunina Mangio of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The business leaders said that other than peace and order, investors in the Philippines are also challenged by red tape, high prices of electricity and fuel, among other issues.

"Napakamahal ng kuryente na binabayaran namin sa Pilipinas dapat mabawasan yan, kasi investors mga malalaking negosyo that will come in require a lot of electricity," Pedro said.

"Isang concern na kanilang sinasabi number one, ulit ulit yung erratic policies, papalit-palit in terms of investment policies even labor laws," Ortiz-Luis said.

Small and medium investors, meanwhile, said securing business permits and other requirements are also causes of headaches for their businesses. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News