Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Maxey: Shock after shock
By Ram Maxey
Bar None
THERE have been a number of shocking events lately that have made headlines. I'm not referring to politics and traditional politicians whose antics hardly shock anyone anymore.
First, there was that infamous stampede at the PhilSports Arena (formerly Ultra) where more than 70 people died and hundreds were injured in the mad rush for tickets to the popular "Wowowee" television game show put up by ABS-CBN.
Government investigators shouldn't have a problem pinning responsibility for the tragedy. After all, ABS-CBN's chief operating officer Gabby Lopez had publicly admitted the networks' "full responsibility".
The second shocking occurrence was the recent raid by elements of the Philippine National Police on a 600 sq. meter compound in Pasig City housing a flea market for illegal drugs -- shabu, marijuana -- operating literally under the noses of the authorities within half a kilometer from City Hall and police headquarters.
Hundreds of people were rounded up, including drug addicts, drug pushers, among them women and children and some teenage sex workers (one of them a pregnant 12-year-old). Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao described the drug bust as "incomprehensible" even as he ordered on the spot the relief of the precinct commander and seven of his men.
The usual "heads will roll" announcement coming from the PNP chief was his knee jerk reaction after getting over his initial shock. But whose heads will roll? Here was a 600 sq. meter compound in the very heart of the city where illegal drugs had been peddled openly for about a year in stalls much like a flea market -- and no authorities knew its existence? Neither the mayor nor the City Council? Not the police? Tell that to the Marines.
Thank goodness there's no way such a flea market for illegal drugs could ever operate in Davao City. Not under the watch of a mayor like Rody Duterte who hates the guts of criminals, especially if they are engaged in the illegal drugs trade. Otherwise, heads will roll -- literally, not figuratively. The brazen way the Pasig City shabu flea market has been operating for well nigh a year under the very noses of its authorities does not mean there is something wrong with their sense of smell. Just their sense of duty.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (February 15, 2006 issue)
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