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Saturday, February 15, 2003
Editorial: The Ryohei Sato case
Despite the decision of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 to call off the search for Japanese national Ryohei Sato, his case is far from closed. Loose ends are still dangling from it.
The latest police theory is that Sato is in Iloilo city touring with a 15-year-old girlfriend. He reportedly called three times—to the Japanese Embassy, to a travel agency and to a hotel manager—proof enough that he was not kidnapped.
Which could be a premature conclusion, because until now Sato has not surfaced even if PRO 7 officials have coordinated with the police in Iloilo.
And even if he surfaces, it would be wrong to immediately accept what he will say. His claims will still have to be validated, as kidnappers, to prevent police follow-up operations, often force victims who pay ransom to either lie or clam up once freed.
Indeed, there is a need to look deeper into the Sato case. His having been missing for days already and in the process puzzling authorities and causing anxiety to some sectors cannot just be erased by claims he merely went on a secret trip.
But any investigation should not only clarify whether Sato was really kidnapped or not but should also pinpoint the perpetrators or conspirators, if there are any, and then dig for some lessons that should be learned from the incident.
In this context, it is good that the police are checking the background of people the Japanese national got in touch with. The worst thing to happen is when those that are in constant touch with tourists here also have dubious backgrounds or links.
Then there was the breakdown in intelligence gathering, with authorities not able to get enough information on what happened to Sato for days, resulting in paralysis.
Another is the handling of reporters poking into the case in the light of calls to balance the public need to be informed with efforts to protect the integrity of police operations, ensure the safety of the victims and to not unduly rock the tourism industry.
In the Sato case, reports shifted from one that said the Japanese national was missing to one saying he was kidnapped and then back to his being not kidnapped. The confusion did not really serve public good.
Owning up errors
With the opinions of the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Interior and Local Governments supporting his stance on the P32 million lump sum appropriation for the barangays, Mayor Tomas Osmeña need not have rubbed salt on a still open wound.
Unfortunately, he did so by flailing at his critics, even giving members of the City Council, who insisted a resolution was needed to disburse the P32 million, ten days to own up to their supposed error.
The point is, whether his critics will go to him and say, “You’re right,” or they continue on their argument about the need for checks and balance in the running of City Hall, that won’t add anything substantial to the debate anymore.
Or not if you relish people saying mea culpa while kneeling in front of you.
(February 15, 2003 issue)
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