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Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Editorials: Armalites for barangay chiefs
There is sense in Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s plan to arm chiefs in Cebu City’s mountain barangays with M-16s, but it does reminds some people of a joke.
Remember the politician who, in an election campaign, promised residents that if he wins he would build a bridge in the barangay?
“But we don’t have a river here,” someone blurted.
“Then we’ll build one,” the politician countered.
Need, practicality
Plans are easy to make, but whether these answer real needs is another thing.
Then there’s the matter of practicality.
Was the suggestion to issue high-powered guns to mountain barangay chiefs a product of real need, like a river really needing a bridge?
Apparently, the mayor thinks so, arguing, for example, that because of the lack of policemen to patrol the concerned areas, City Hall might as well provide the firepower.
On the surface, there’s logic there—but then again, that’s only on the surface, because the logic disintegrates once one goes deeper.
Knee-jerk move
Here’s a good question: is the plan well studied?
Proof that it isn’t is the reaction of some barangay captains.
There’s Agsungot Barangay Captain Petra Arnoco, already 84 years old, who admitted she can no longer carry a rifle “kay tiguwang na man ko.”
A younger Busay Barangay Captain Eliodoro Sanchez said of the gun: “It’s for psy-war. Lahi ra man og dunay makita nga tag-as inig-checkpoint.”
“Makamao man ko mogamit ana,” claimed Pulangbato Barangay Captain Leonila Llaguno.
Different kind
Of course, anybody who knows his guns knows there’s a whale of a difference between a short firearm and a rifle.
It’s not only about the M-16’s length and weight. Or its intimidating presence. Or the barangay captain’s ability to fire it.
There’s a whole lot of responsibility and burden attached to the toting of rifles.
This is precisely why, in grudgingly agreeing to the mayor’s proposal, police officials added the caveat: the barangay chiefs should first be trained.
This, aside from the legal procedures that should also be hurdled.
Scrutiny
The unsaid message in all the reactions is actually for the mayor to go slow on the matter and subject it to scrutiny.
Vowing to build a bridge is one thing. Ensuring that the bridge will span a river is another.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 6, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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