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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Editorials: Cebu City flunked on crime rate
The University of San Carlos (USC) Research Center, tasked to survey Cebu City in the ranking of metro cities as business investment sites, listed crime rate as one area where this City got poor marks.
Few were surprised.
Murder shot up in last year's crime index although petty crimes slightly fell. Critics noted then that for the small cut in petty crimes, the City had to pay with the big rise of heavy crimes.
To remove pickpockets and snatchers, kill them one by one. A false assumption because (a) petty crimes can't be eliminated unless poverty is wiped out and (b) continuing summary executions means the formula has not worked and will not work, as it has not worked in Davao City, from which Cebu “berdugos” aped the scheme.
The formula
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has "inspired" summary killings of criminals because he would like them to flee the city. Fight crime with crime: am illegal and flawed theory.
As to vigilante or vigilante-style murders, their solution is "not in his list of priorities." Grossly understated because not one murder has been solved, suspect arrested and prosecuted, since serial killings started in December 2004.
Now, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center, which hired USC, shuts out Cebu City from the top five of 13 competing metro cities. And USC says one reason for the low scores is the crime rate.
Damage repair
Embarrassing, said the mayor. We agree. For the Queen City, it's a nasty bruise on the ego, a huge lump on the head.
As the mayor scrambles for ways to repair the damage, why can't he learn the lessons and show that he has learned them well by improving performance in categories where the City's grades hit the cellar.
On crime, to cite a specific area.
Why cannot Cebu City, with all its resources, leap to the top by providing the police with first-rate equipment on crime prevention and solution, ferret out the dirty cops and train those who can be trained, and with the help of citizen watch groups keep the fiscals and judges honest and efficient?
Tough work
Cebu City can. But it's much tougher work.
Easier to let loose a group of murderers, skip due process and other justice system essentials, violate human edict and God's law.
The victims? Not our kin, not our relatives. We feel no pain for them.
God help Cebu City.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 22, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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