Taiwan ambassador wants better crime prevention in Panama.

Simon Ko Taiwan’s ambassador to Panama, on Tuesday called on the authorities for a "best effort" in crime prevention.

 of crime affecting the population in this country. Ko made ??the announcement at a meeting with members of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in Panama (Acopep), one week after the discovery of the bodies of five Panamanians of Chinese descent.

The students  had been kidnapped and killed in a brutal fashion. The diplomat expressed "deep regret" over bloody crimes affecting the Panamanian population.

"We condemn all acts of violence and support the implementation of justice against those who commit crimes against public safety," he said.

The murders were committed in the district of La Chorrera, 33 miles west of Panama City by a Dominican phone salesman, who kidnapped and murdered his victims before receiving ransom in exchange for their .release.

 Police officers found the bodies deposited in trenches dug in the living room, bathroom and bedrooms of the residence occupied by the Dominican who have acted in collusion with several other to try to kill the hostages.

Six suspects have been detained by police for alleged links with the lurid crime that has led to Peace and Justice marches in Panama, where more than 150 000 Chinese and their descendants live.

While Ko ruled that the case looks like a "isolated incident" the murder of a Taiwanese in the district of Chepo, 50 miles east of Panama City has come to light. Police are investigating.