Monday, November 06, 2006 Mongaya: Failure in police intelligence? By Anol Mongaya Panahom
THE spate of robberies is not just a failure in police intelligence. It is a failure of an anti-crime strategy that relies on vigilantes to clean up Cebu of criminals. It is a failure of the political leadership that backed the so-called bright boys who cooked up the scheme in the first place.
After blurting this out during a beer session over the weekend, a buddy however disagreed vehemently saying the spate of robberies only shows “police intelligence” is a contradiction.
He may have a point there. Vigilantism emerged precisely because of police intelligence failure that led to a rise in criminality. Because of poor intelligence the vigilantes (whom many suspect to be police officers themselves) ended up killing only petty criminals. They failed to get the more notorious ones and the so-called lords (drug lords and gambling lords). They failed to get those already in organized groups like the gang that is presently running circles around our lawmen.
Perhaps the time has come for Cebu’s political leadership to shake up the police intelligence network that has long lost its sharpness.
Come to think of it, another wave of robberies during the Asean summit will be a national embarrassment. Definitely, the local political leadership will be blamed if they continue failing to curb crime.
***
The City Government should impose on Pump disco policies that it imposed on Halo and its competition in Mango Square. For instance, the small place is a firetrap. It is often so full of drunk people but there is no fire escape. Minors (both male and females) are seen openly drinking liquor inside and dancing lewdly.
Paging Councilor Jun Pe. I know you find the place special. Aside from ensuring that nobody makes trouble so patrons could continue to enjoy safely, please make certain that policies City Hall strictly impose on others are also observed by Pump management.
***
As the deadline for the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) nears, another issue has cropped up. People are now questioning why the cost has ballooned to P800 million.
I just hope that such questions won’t lead to delays. The way I see it, the priority now is finishing the CICC so it can be used during the 12th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). If the edifice won’t be used, all the rush and the huge cost will mean nothing.
If ever there are questions about how the money was spent, we can always do it after we host the Asean summit.
***
Those affected by the investigation into the foiled attempt to steal four smuggled luxury vehicles already forfeited in favor of the government are more afraid of the investigation being carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Customs investigators are perceived to be lenient on their colleagues. Di kuno mahal ang areglo.
***
Congratulations to Cebuana singer Maria Donna who won the top prize in the recent 2006 Shanghai Music Festival. Maria Donna, who is known for her album of Visayan songs, had feted the opening of Superbalita’s anniversary exhibits right before she left for Shanghai. We expect her to be with us again in major Superbalita events during the Asean summit.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
