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Monday, March 08, 2004
Mongaya: War zone
By ANOL MONGAYA
PROFESSIONAL killers-for-hire are apparently finding Cebu City a safe place to make their kill. The killers of Hindang Mayor Rey Jumao-as and his son Jake patiently waited until the victims reached Cebu City before they made their move. Last year, professional killers also waylaid customs collector Wewe Lao and Bennet Soreño in the busy downtown Osmeña Blvd. and R. R. Landon junction.
With the failure to curb even the snatching of cell phones, I am afraid criminals now consider Cebu City not as a rest and recreation center anymore. They simply kill their prey here knowing the police would be caught flatfooted.
An irate Mayor Tomas Osmeña concentrated his fury on Cebu City Police Chief Cecil Ezra Sandalo. However, the mayor should also look at the kind of support the police got from his administration to go after criminals—42 rented yet poorly maintained multicabs.
Come to think of it, multicabs are ineffective in going after criminals in motorcycles, taxicabs and other kinds of getaway vehicles. No wonder criminals are not afraid of the police.
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The series of clashes between the Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho) and Tau Gamma Phi tell us that a full-blown frat war has erupted in Cebu. The other day, suspected Akrho fratmen shot two members of Tau Gamma. That same day, Tau Gamma members shot Akrho members.
It seems the City Government and the local police are helpless as these two rival gangs convert Cebu City into a war zone.
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More problems continue to hound the K4 slate in Cebu Province. Aside from reelectionist Sen. John Osmeña, the Martinez clan that controls the province’s fourth district also wants to settle a score against broadcaster Korina Sanchez by threatening to junk former trade secretary Mar Roxas.
To recall, Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez conducted House committee hearings to look into alleged irresponsible acts of both Sanchez and Kris Aquino when they called the solon “bastos” during their TV program ‘Morning Girls.’
While Roxas could still mend the differences between Rep. Mar-tinez and Sanchez, it seems the Masa party of former congressman Junie Martinez is looking for reasons to junk K4 bets so they could include three bets from the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP). The Martinezes reportedly want to support Jinggoy Estrada, Jamby Madrigal and Boy Herrera.
Because of these unresolved problems involving the three gubernatorial bets in Cebu, President Arroyo still has no finalized plans for her local sortie. I heard the March 26 schedule might be moved to late April.
Perhaps, the President really needs to choose among former Capitol consultant Gwen Garcia, Vice Gov. John-John Osmeña and Junie Martinez to clear the confusion. If ever, I think GMA’s political advisers will wait until it will be clear who is ahead. Unfortunately, partisans of the three gubernatorial bets insist that their candidate is the one ahead. If only the Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia include local candidates in their regular polls.
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Though GMA has taken the lead in survey results, analysts note that nobody has really surged ahead away from the pack like former president Joseph Estrada in 1998. Thus, anybody can still become president like Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
Incidentally, Lacson is here in Cebu for some speaking engagements and a two-day province-wide caravan starting tomorrow. It is still possible that Lacson can catch up.
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For his part, Fernando Poe Jr. is reportedly coming to Cebu on March 27 for a proclamation rally with the local opposition.
After the Supreme Court threw out the disqualification case against FPJ, financial support has reportedly begun pouring in. In Leyte, Agila president Boy Odilao said the masses responded to FPJ sorties enthusiastically. Still, it remains to be seen how FPJ can transform his popularity into votes especially in areas like Cebu Province.
(March 8, 2004 issue)
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