|
Friday, September 22, 2006
Wenceslao: Never again?
By Bong O. Wenceslao
I didn’t forget yesterday was the 34th anniversary of the declaration of martial law. It’s just that a few years ago I thought I had become repetitive writing about it, so I stopped. But times have changed.
In Thailand, a general launched a coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. So a day before Sept. 21, Thailand fell under military rule.
Are we headed to that direction? In February of 1986, the martial law era officially ended with the toppling of then dictator Ferdinand Marcos from his perch by a generally bloodless uprising. “Never again!” we vowed then. But some two decades later, I already doubt whether that vow can be fulfilled.
Or, can historic currents be stopped?
The period when Filipinos vowed never again was one for progressives. The trend, if one may call it as such, was people battling tyranny---in Asia (remember Tiananmen Square?), Europe, Latin America. Since then, the progressive tide has ebbed and the current is moving to the right. In Asia, Thailand seems to be leading the way.
With President Arroyo, this country is not faring any better. Political killings, a variation of “salvaging” during the Marcos years. Calibrated preemptive response against protest actions. Rampant human rights violations, especially in the countryside. And, yes, the constant threat of a coup succeeding, then on to military rule again. Never again?
CRIMINALITY. I thought Cebu City Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem only reacted to my column, “Civilian anger and heroism,” through text message. I was surprised to find in my e-mail inbox yesterday his e-mail. He clarified further his concern about the “higher level of anger” of people against criminality.
“Not too long ago,” Jack said, “when rash of crimes occurs, people would ask, where are the cops? After Carmela Cabañog’s senseless death over a cell phone, the robbery and killing of a businessman at the reclamation area, what is the common reaction from radio callers? You guessed it: Where are the vigilantes?
“The past few days, unarmed civilians and tanods caught robbery suspects and, in one instance, one was stabbed in the chest for his act of ‘heroism.’ With these ‘mob actions,’ I am more inclined to be worried than happy---more worried for the safety of the mob than the criminal. What if the latter is carrying a hand grenade?
“I agree with you that translating this new level of citizen's anger, concern, and heroism into something more substantial and effective will be a key element in crime prevention. In this regard, the Cebu City police has a text or call hotline at 0921-4931616 and a landline direct to the Mobile Patrol Group at 232-0289. People can save these numbers in their cell phonebooks.”
(khanwens@yahoo.com/ 0915-9228651/my blog: cebuano.wordpress.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 22, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
