Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Calinao: Gained ground is never to be wasted By Nick Prill Calinao Free and Easy
AFTER months of trying, it does seem that moves to resolve the "gangsta problem" in the city is slowly gaining ground.
The approach geared towards recognition and unification may actually solve the "gangsta woes" in Baguio. I for one, hope that Baguio's misguided youth who are members of "fraternities" or "gangs" will soon realize that they may actually be recognized as constructive young citizens.
Young citizens who instead of causing alarm through street fights and violent acts, would gain recognition by coming up with means to unify their various organizations via peace accords and community service.
The recent approach to unify these "misguided young ones" instead of the application of "harsh" measures may still be the solution to the concern. Should memorandums of agreement between rival "fraternity-gangs" in the city, perhaps street violence involving juveniles to graffiti painted walls and fences will soon be a thing of the past.
The approach which involves delving deeper into the source of conflicts between "fraternity-gangs," guidance and counseling, as well as the provision of a venue where these groups may gain recognition not by being notorious, but by being responsible and law-abiding citizens.
As perceived, there may actually be a way to convert these recently considered liabilities in society into assets of a developing community. However, the approach plays a crucial role in doing so.
Initiatives unifying these misguided groups, instilling their importance in society, and opening doors for them to do constructive activities are definitely better alternatives to the problem as compared to the proposal to decrease or adjust the age of criminal accountability for minors from 15 to 12 years old.
Recently, authorities spearheaded dialogues between rival "fraternity-gangs" in the locality. From just a little over a couple during initial meets, representation of the groups reached more than 10.
As an initial effect, the "misguided" are slowly transforming from defiant youth members to individuals beginning to understand the importance of social responsibility.
Information gathered indicate that developments on the concern include:
* The realization that graffiti does not in any way help build the reputation of the city as a tourist destination.
* That the true measure of recognition does not rely on notoriety but on constructive contributions to society
* That camaraderie may actually be shared with those belonging to other groups
* That violent rivalry leads nowhere
* That respect from other groups is better gained through the true "spirit of brotherhood"
* That the city will be a better place for everyone without "gang wars" and pointless fighting
It is with high hopes however that the move would continuously receive full support from the local government and authorities. Unless of course the "pa-pogi politicians" and "enforcers" would want the initiative to be the usual "ningas-kugon" type.
Now don't blame me for mentioning the local terms "ningas-kugon" and "pa-pogi politicians."
Just recently, no less than a law enforcer stated over my "Boses ng Masa" radio program at DZWT-540-AM that the local welfare office finds difficulty in accommodating minors who violate the curfew. According to the enforcer, the local welfare office does not even have enough blankets for juvenile "curfew breakers."
As a public servant and concerned citizen, I truly appreciate the "soft" and "unifying" approach much more than the suggestion to be harsher with juvenile delinquents and lower the criminal accountability age. Lowering the accountability age may actually result to an increase number of "rebellious youth."
May I stress however that offenders must be sanctioned. Perhaps more severe community service oriented punishments or the like would help.
In a related matter, bigger and more "tempting" rewards for "youngsters" who would be able to identify and pinpoint syndicate members or heads who use and abuse them may actually help in the crackdown against organized crime. (Actually, jueteng kubradores should also be offered such "incentives").
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, lowering the criminal accountability age is somewhat unreasonable. Unless of course authorities are also willing to adjust the voting age, the legal age for marriage, the legal age for the issuance of a driver's license, the legal age for the consumption of alcohol, the legit age of cigarette smoking, the age limit for implementing curfews for minors.... And the like.
Well, the bottom lines this week are: I do hope initiatives geared towards: unifying the "fraternity-gangs" in the city; to supporting "misguided youth" in the exercise of constructive and community oriented activities, and the provision of avenues for recognition as responsible youth will continuously be supported technically and financially so as not to waste "gained ground." And that "the initiatives as well as concerned groups will not be used and abused as political pawns of 'self-serving' politicians."
