Anol Mongaya

October 19, 2004
Yongco probe

PRESIDENT Arroyo stepped in to repair the break between the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and police agencies in the ongoing probe of the killing of Atty. Arbet Sta. Ana Yongco. But I don’t think she succeeded. Both the NBI and the police are moving in two different directions.

Media had a hand in the confusion in the wake of the two probes. If only key media personalities would heed requests that certain information be withheld from the public.

Before a newspaper published the name of a police suspect, other reporters already knew his identity. However, they heeded request that his name and the details about him be withheld while the police go after him.

Unfortunately for people who tend to give off-the-record statements, reporters could always proceed to other sources and pry the same information for publication. Thus, it would be best for sources to just clam up if they don’t want something published.

In the Yongco investigation, the premature disclosure of the suspect’s name intensified the rift between the NBI and the police investigators.

***

An amused NBI 7 Director Reynaldo Esmeralda reportedly called up some friends yesterday and told them he is still here in Cebu contrary to reports that he left for Manila the other day. The NBI head was also with another group of friends Saturday night and played badminton in Lahug yesterday morning.

Esmeralda is now being blamed for the delay and the confusion in the Yongco probe. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt though. At the moment, I think his mistake was to trust some members of the media too much with confidential information.

But then, some malicious wags would say the release of so-called off-the-record stuff could also be an instrument to achieve a certain end.

***

The lawyers’ mass action that demanded justice for Arbet’s death showed that her death was not in vain. Her former colleagues are now taking up the challenge of defending the oppressed and the disadvantaged, like women and children.

I didn’t really know Arbet. I remembered her years ago when I helped a female mauling victim. The case eventually led to the closure of the establishment owned by the suspect. But after assassin’s bullets felled her, I felt the same way years ago when a friend who was into helping the poor and the downtrodden was abducted by Marcos thugs.

So many now wants to take her place. But it is not really the same. I only hope that those who now profess to take Arbet’s place would match her commitment and energy.

***

The encounters between the Alpha Kappa Rho and the Tau Gamma Phi still continue. The latest series of incidents led to the death of another member of the Tau Gamma while an Akrho man was in critical condition as of yesterday.

It seems local officials and the police had failed miserably to contain the ongoing fraternity war. Sir, nahutdan na mo og mga paagi unsaon ni pagsulbad?

***

Several sectors here are monitoring the progress of the presidential campaign in the United States. What’s intriguing though is the Internet buzz about the unusual bulge in President George Bush’s suit during the first debate. A photo being passed about in various discussion groups showed a small rectangular hump that the online grapevine claimed to be a radio monitor. Somebody reportedly had been feeding President Bush with lines that only confused him. Thus, he performed dismally against the smooth Sen. John Kerry.

(e-mail: superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol_cebu@hotmail.com; text: 0917-9761193)