We need the ‘Untouchables’

WE want to see a scenario with a magnificent score that is spellbinding. We want everything to work together beautifully in excessive style. We do not want anti-heroes to have their role in our city. We want our cops to play the part of Bacolod-weary policemen. We love Bacolod. To prevent crime in the city, we look forward to a remarkable mythic power of our PNP elite force and we want the story to end with law-abiding heroes’ triumph.

If the heavily armed suspects who robbed F & C Pawnshop and Jewelry Store in Gonzaga St. last Saturday are alleged to be members of the merged groups of the Acetylene Gang and Ozamis Group, our authorities are not simply facing homegrown criminals. Ahead of us is an organized crime; therefore, we need to come up with our own Untouchables and I am not joking. I know that we still have the best men and women in our PNP-Bacolod.

The Untouchables is the story of a bland federal agent, Elliot Ness, and his mission to stop the flamboyant Al Capone any way he can. Ness was helped by a crusty police veteran Jim Malone with brave pencil pusher Oscar Wallace and idealistic rookie cop George Stone. I don’t say that we have Capone in Bacolod. What I am trying to say is we need to work as a team. COMELEC should stay on top considering that this is election time and our city officials should give the necessary logistical support for smooth operations. The baseline network should be strong with our barangay captains providing information to our PNP Intelligence Community. The NBI should also give its eagle watch. This is not just a police matter.

Bacolod is not in chaos yet, I agree; but in the past there were cases already—robbery of CENECO main office, robbery of Prenda Negrense, and now we have F & C as the latest victim. Let us not neglect also the burglary of the rugby boys at a pawnshop in Cuadra St. and at a cellphone store in Luzuriaga St. We want Bacolod’s ‘finest’ to put an end to the problem. It is good to see also that our law enforcers are not seen in gambling houses, beer gardens, cockfighting arena, and red light districts on monkey business.

Our business establishments should hire healthy, bright and morally upright security guards. The salary of security guards should be above the minimum. The blue guards should have regular training and their weapons should not be of the vintage kind. They should not be treated as janitors or messengers. They should be in complete uniform and be provided good briefing before and after their duty. Our security agencies should be on top of the line.

We do not want to teach our policemen but we expect smart moves after the incident…traffic flows, blocking force, hot pursuit operations, networking with LGUs and other agencies, immediate press conference, and updated reports every hour in radio and television. CCTV cameras in the establishments and strategic street corners could be big help.

Our persons in authority should learn what went wrong and what went right. The hold-up group, I’m sure, is also learning and possibly always moves five steps ahead. Good men should not just smile, we are a city under siege, we are not certain of our threats. They could be men in barong or women in executive suit. Be watchful and vigilant. We need a relatively peaceful Bacolod!