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Thursday, June 15, 2006
Editorials: Bombings and lawlessness
The bombings in Metro Manila and the surfacing of the shadowy Taumbayan at Kawal signals another dip in the peace and order situation of the country.
While it would be wrong to say that we have plunged into anarchy, the bombing incidents are certainly disturbing especially for a nation that has hitched its growth mainly to foreign investment and tourism.
These would affect the international community’s perception of the Philippines.
Bombings
The actuation of Taumbayan and Kawal could mean a shift in the strategy of some of those seeking the ouster of President Arroyo from her post.
One recalls there the method used by the Light-a-Fire Movement in battling the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
While bombs are being detonated, the bombers made sure that these would not entail human casualties, so unlike the terrorist attacks involving groups like the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah.
The apparent purpose of the bombings, therefore, is propaganda---to create the impression of chaos and destabilize the Arroyo administration.
Not flattering
There wouldn’t have been much of a problem there for the government had these incidents happened in a different milieu.
But the bombings are but the latest in the string of criminal acts that authorities are seemingly helpless in solving.
You have, for example, the executions of leaders of militant groups, the shooting to death of media people and the series of vigilante-style killings in Cebu and Davao.
Add to that the usual fare of robberies, kidnappings, rape, etc. and the picture one gets is not flattering.
Mayor Ouano’s claim
Mayor Thadeo Ouano certainly caused a stir when he announced during the Independence Day rites in Mandaue City that he is among the target of terrorists and that some 80 terrorists are already in Cebu.
Looking at the way the supposed information on the presence of terrorists here traveled, it is not difficult to dismiss it as hearsay.
And because of the sensitive nature of the claim, one is prompted to advise the mayor not to be rash in making statements that could unduly cause public alarm.
That does not mean, however, that concerned police units, which have insisted that they didn’t receive such information, would not look deeply into the matter just to be sure.
(June 15, 2006 issue)
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