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Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Editorials: Police officers down
Why is it that everytime a police officer is shot, they always try to find fault in his action that resulted in injury or death?
Police officers are not superheroes who can dodge every bullet fired or parry every bladed weapon thrust at them.
Yet, the post-op study is the procedure, the routine. Review the incident to find out what happened, to identify responsibility and learn from the mistake.
The case of PO2 Armando Juegos and PO2 Oliver Jamboy is no exception.
The two police officers were killed by a vegetable vendor named Prudencio Borres in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City. Borres wrested Juegos' handgun and shot the two cops with it. Both were killed; so was the assailant.
Who or what was responsible?
Juegos and Jamboy belonged to the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU), a kind of elite force whose members were not any of your ordinary police, not overweight or bumblers who can't shoot straight. CSU operatives are supposed to be in good shape and well trained.
Apparently, the training was not effective enough. According to initial findings disclosed by the mayor, the two cops relaxed their guard and failed to duck.
Basic in anti-crime response, drilled by trainors and illustrated in TV police, is for each cop to think and behave as if his life were in serious danger as he gets out of the patrol car to confront the suspect.
CSU trainer Bingen Mendezona asked the public not to blame the two police officers, "they paid the supreme price."
True, but part of the sacrifice is for their action to be scrutinized, so their colleagues can learn from the experience.
Failure cannot always be avoided in police operations. When it does happen, especially when it ends in tragedy, what will reassure the public is the effort of the police to learn from the mistake and become better law enforcers.
Church ‘meddling’
Former senator John Osmeña is infuriated by Cardinal Vidal's alleged meddling in the split-Cebu row.
But President Arroyo is mighty glad the bishops stop short of calling for her ouster (apparently heeding the Pope's reported policy of restraint).
Actually though, politicians resent "interference" from the church, or from anyone, only when it hurts their cause but not when it helps that cause.
If the Cebu clergy were cheering for Sugbuak, Sonny would be bursting with joy while Gov. Gwen Garcia would be riling against violation of separation of church and state.
(August 31, 2005 issue)
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