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Thursday, December 23, 2004
Mongaya: Hunters or goons?
By Anol Mongaya
Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s solution to the crime wave may initially get applause from a public fed up with the ineptness of the police and the justice system against criminals.
The creation of the so-called “Hunters Team” of sharp shooters signals the rise of “super policemen,” or cops granted by the mayor the power to judge who are criminals and decide who of them will live or die.
And whether or not the mayor can grant this power, I don’t think somebody in the Cebu City Council will question him. After all, everybody expects these honorable councilors to be Tom’s yes men.
With the Council firmly behind his every move, Mayor Osmeña will be able to gain additional powers. He will be director of a bunch of policemen-cum-judges and executioners. Woe to those who earn his ire.
Under the mayor’s powerful wings, these “super cops” will also be beyond the reach of the chain of command of the Philippine National Police. With the Hunters Team, Mayor Osmeña now has a band of highly trained goons.
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Many closely monitored events in Manila for fear of destabilization moves. With the emotional millions of people gathered at the funeral of the late Fernando Poe Jr., many thought it was easy for a dozen agitators to lead the crowd to Malacañang. An angry horde would make it easy for coup plotters to move.
It should be pointed out that several putsch attempts failed because they lacked the civilian component. On the other hand, the so-called Edsa 3 failed because the military and the police backed the then fledgling Arroyo administration.
***
Susan Roces, FPJ’s widow, rose to become the unofficial voice of the mass movement that emerged from the death of her husband. The articulate actress showed that she has strong political views and knows how to express these with impact.
Moreover, Roces showed maturity when she resisted the temptation of using the people who gathered for FPJ’s funeral to storm Malacañang. Note that it would be difficult and expensive to again gather the same number of people.
Had Roces allowed sinister forces to manipulate her and the millions who looked up to her, she in effect would have surrendered to them the control and initiative. Now, the actress needs to consolidate her position and the millions who support her husband.
***
Presidential Task Force Against Smuggling and DILG chief Angelo Reyes should look into an item in Jesse Bacon’s column in the Manila Tribune that mentioned the involvement of a local presidential assistant in bulk smuggling in tandem with big syndicates in Manila. This syndicate is trying to elbow out other players, especially local ones, using their top-level connection. Reyes should target this super syndicate first.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph/ anol_cebu@hotmail.com/ 0917-9761193)
(December 23, 2004 issue)
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