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Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Cabaero: Harry need not be dirty
By Nini B.Cabaero
Beyond 30
The language has been moved from one killing field to another killing field.
Vigilantism is such an ugly word that somehow in the ugliness of the modern world has gained acceptance to one group—if only to make a point.
The creation of this so-called “Cebu Pork Barrel Vigilantes” is proof how some people can be bereft not only of decency but also of a wide vocabulary to think up of a name for itself other than the vigilantes against criminals that have gripped the city for months.
This new group’s avowed task to force lawmakers to let go of their pork barrel fund or “one by one, all of you will fall” smacks of copycat notoriety.
It forgets that, in this propensity to command extra-legal measures against society’s ills, the moral fabric gets torn away piece by piece.
For as vigilantism has become the mode to get rid of robbers and snatchers, and now, if this new group is to be believed, also the devourers of legislative pork, will summarily chastising or killing jaywalkers and illegal street vendors be far behind?
This new group has come out to declare in a press statement that “enough is enough” and that its warning to lawmakers who do not give up their pork fund was not an “idle threat.”
It may sound a little funny or cute at first to have those in power be recipients of these people’s threats, to make them quake in their Ferragamo shoes. But, a look at the culture of violence prevailing in the city that has seen the summary killings of people with or without criminal records removes any tinge of humor or cuteness in the threat.
The group against the pork barrel has given lawmakers until Black Saturday to state in a notarized affidavit that they will give up their entire pork. “You can save yourself if you do. For those who will not, (they) will be removed,” the group said in the statement.
It is sad that violent language has taken the place of peaceful discussion over matters that affect the public’s interest. It is scary that this group has become infected by the vigilantism zeal of recent murderers, apparently inspired by the seminal vigilante movie of the 1970s titled “Dirty Harry.” It is revolting to have disagreements over policy brought to the arena of the mercenaries.
But “Harry” need not be dirty. The best alternative for this group’s members is to take back what they said and demand accountability from the government through many other creative means. The vigilantism call against the pork barrel lacks originality and has been done before and rejected.
This group’s members will do well to put more imagination into this effort; then, maybe, they can help society move forward rather than backward.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)
(March 15, 2005 issue)
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