Wednesday, September 01, 2004 Wenceslao: A puzzle called Dumpit By Bong Wenceslao
How does one solve a case like PO3 Adonis Dum-pit? Difficult, if you ask Mayor Tomas Osmeña. “Directly, the city will help him,” he said, “but indirectly, maybe. Why not? The main consideration here is to look into the safety of the witnesses and to look into the facts of the case because there are some things that need to be clarified.”
If you find that statement ambivalent or puzzling, consider this. When Dumpit shot to death a suspected robber during a raid, Osmeña defended his actuation, even to the point of presenting him with a motorcycle as a prize. His superiors at the Cebu City Police Office followed the mayor’s lead, recommending Dumpit for spot promotion.
Instead of questioning the policeman’s adherence to rules of engagement and respect for basic rights, City Hall egged him on. That was a surefire way of breeding killing machines in the force. So like what is happening now in Davao where those killed (69 have been felled since January) have included even a human rights advocate.
This time, however, Dumpit is being accused of killing Federico Tabon, a widower with five children who, police admit, had no criminal record. But the mayor can no longer openly support his favorite cop without the people questioning his values. For how can he favor somebody accused of turning helpless children into orphans?
Admittedly, though, accusers still need to convince me fully that Dumpit was really Tabon’s killer. There are some loose ends that need to be tied together. For example, what is the motive? Does Dumpit kill without reason (Tabon had no criminal record) or provocation? What is the background of the witnesses?
On the other hand, there are points Dumpit must clarify. There was, say, his admission that he was at the crime scene after Tabon was shot. Coincidence? He also put one over the investigators who tested him for gunpowder by claiming he went to the firing range the day before. And why would the witnesses risk their lives to accuse him?
But whether Dumpit will eventually be acquitted or found guilty, this case should be a reminder about a passage in the Bible about everything having its time. In both the law of man and God, it is called crime and punishment. I mean, when you do something wrong, there will come a time when you will be called to account for it.
Hitler, Marcos, Saddam—look at what happened to them. Davao vigilantes still swagger around, but power is fleeting. Dumpit? If he is not what people are portraying him to be, there is nothing to worry. But if he is what people believe him to be, he will eventually be made to account for his deeds—if not by man, then by God.
TEXTREAX. Here’s the take of Edgar Tirol of Cordova on the language debate: “Language? Unya ra ta maglalis ana kun masudlan na ang nagkutoy natong tiyan.”
Bob Johnson of Liloan, on government’s plan to impose additional taxes: “I suggest that the Philippines use the British system of taxation where only those that can afford to pay higher taxes are affected. Isn’t it time that the rich 6 percent of the country’s population adopt the Christian approach in eradicating poverty?”
Finally, Cristin Tan is suggesting that a really big fountain be installed in Pond A of the South Reclamation Project (SRP) just like the one at the back of the Petronas Towers in Malaysia that draws plenty of tourists. Also, a swimming pool and a butterfly and bird park can be constructed in the SRP and an area for fishers, joggers and bikers set aside.”
(e-mail: khanwens@yahoo.com; text: 0927-4912362)
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