Thursday, January 31, 2008 Editorial: Alarming incidents
THE police have to do more than the usual to stop the apparent resurgence of car theft incidents in the City of San Fernando. And businessmen here have enough reasons to be alarmed over this unnerving development.
More than the loss of two expensive sport utility vehicles in a span of two weeks and not too far from a police station, it's logical for them to fear that next time, things could get worse for them or other future victims. They could get bloody in more than just one sense of the word.
That is, if the police don't' something more effective.
There are reports that car theft criminals from Metro Manila and nearby provinces have shifted their operations in Pampanga, and obviously in the City of San Fernando. The police presumably have better intelligence on this matter. Given, they should be able to monitor and track down whoever these lawless elements are and should be able to stop them dead on their tracks, literally or otherwise.
The cause for action is not just the car owners' concerns. They are not the only victims. Resurgence of a crime like car theft compromises public safety in general and, over time, it could have a chilling effect on the public if not eliminated promptly. The other hidden costs -- collateral damage -- that are passed on not only to the victims but other related consumers can be substantial. The domino effect of any crime, especially car theft, cannot be overemphasized.
There is also the cost -- ultimately unquantifiable -- to the pleasant and attractive image of the city and the province. At a time when these are considered among the most peaceful and progressive in the country-investors-and-visitors friendly, if you will-the new threat, coming as it does in bold and daring manner, can be frightening.
Clearly, there is a need for concerted action now, not later.
Depressing dialogue
The recent on-air acrimonious exchange between Gov. Ed Panlilio and members of the Provincial Board led by Vice Gov. Joseller "Yeng" Guiao had done little, if any, to give the public any hope that things will get better in their relationship anytime soon, if ever.
Public gripe sessions are too way overrated to give them that much credit for real, long-lasting effects, anyway.
Realistically, the palpable bad blood, the hard-line positions and the murky views on major issues concerning governance would not only require time and wisdom to improve on but a drastic change in attitude, philosophy and loyalty. Neither side appears to have a working reservoir on all. Thus, one can't help but conclude that any meaningful change may not be possible in their terms, or even their lifetimes.
Increasingly, the context of an old saying that the more things change the more they stay the same is manifestly acted out so perfectly by all the major "players" in the ongoing, dragging political rigmarole, quite depressing to those who had expected the dialogue to be edifying and hopeful, not rancorous and vacuous and, ultimately, futile.
