Monday, May 26, 2008 Mongaya: Number 1 in crime? By Anol Mongaya Panahom
MAYOR Tomas Osmeña places much value on vigilantism compared to the return of the death penalty as a deterrent against crime. Indeed, the vigilantes had their day against criminals who just posted bail and thus unfortunately were unarmed and cannot fight back. However, their kill only sent chills to other suspected criminals who are already in jail. They did not deter the two motorcycle-riding gunmen who, with no helmets on, executed Atty. Richard Sison in brazen daylight in vigilante territory that is Cebu City.
While the killing of PDEA agent Priscillano Gingoyon Jr. two days happened in Lapu-Lapu City, the next major crime incident in the Metro again happened in Cebu City. Eight men, again wearing no masks, robbed two jewelry shops in Magallanes St. last Saturday.
Criminals who plan big crimes proved they are indeed not afraid of Cebu City’s vigilantes.
But I think the mayor did not get it. Vigilantism emerged and somehow got the silent approval of a number of Cebuanos because the local police failed to curb crime. And from where I sit, the vigilante hits add to the statistics of failure of Cebu City’s finest.
At least, the series of crimes in Cebu City makes us a contender for number one in criminality. For was it not Mayor Osmeña who promised Cebuanos in 2001 that with his comeback Cebu will become number one again? If he failed in making the financially burdened (because of the still un-earning SRP) Cebu City number one economically in the next seven years, at least number one ta sa krimen.
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The family of Attorney Sison has asked the NBI to look into the killing while staying mum on whatever speculations as to who and why was he killed. I’m sure they have their own suspicions but they kept their mouths shut.
The people most interested in getting the killers and the mastermind exercised prudence unlike some people like businessman Efrain Pelaez who immediately pointed to an alleged mafia at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall.
Unfortunately for Pelaez, a reporter wrote about her interview with Sison days before he was killed. The lawyer promised her proof against tax cheats in Lapu-Lapu City. I hope the lawyer’s proofs are intact and will be pursued without fear by the other lawyers of Mayor Boy Radaza.
I like to believe that this planned expose is not enough reason for killing Sison. But Pelaez’s premature statements make him stand out as someone who is not only overly eager in blaming Mayor Radaza for the crime, he also appears as too defensive.
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President Arroyo should reconcile the interest of the Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on products like the controversial Crown Regency Hotel project in Boracay. While Tourism Secretary Ace Durano endorsed the project, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza opposed it for being allegedly on land classified as wetland.
Located in Barangay Balabag, Aklan, documents showed that the project would be constructed on land classified as coconut land until it was converted into a tourist and commercial zone in 1998 by the local government.
Saying the wetland is located a distance away from his project, Richard King is filing graft charges against Atienza and DENR 6 officials this week. For King, better resolve this controversy at the anti-graft court than by under-the-table arrangements. But I think Atienza should review the work of his men in DENR 6 aron di siya mamumo.
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Presidential Management Staff Chief Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President envisions Central Philippines as the country’s premier tourist destination during the 4th National Infrastructure Forum. The forum sought broader participation of the business sector in the government’s infrastructure program.
I think the government is right on track on the infrastructure front. But the Arroyo administration has to do something with the runaway crime situation in Cebu while Mayor Osmeña basks in the limelight of being number one. She should also resolve tourism-related controversies like the project that Secretary Durano endorsed in Boracay.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
