Bzzzzz: 2 broadcasters' views on P81.6M seized shabu. Roque on jobless Pinoys: 'It could've been worse.'

Harry does a Trump

Two graphic examples of the argument or justification that things could have been worse: from US President Trump, on the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths in the United States and from Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque, on the number of people who lost their jobs during the pandemic.

[1] Trump on 170,000 Americans killed and 5.41 million confirmed number of people infected by coronavirus: "We're doing tremendously... It could've been worse."

[2] Roque on 27 million jobless Filipinos: "I'm surprised at our resilience, 45 percent lang po ang nawawalan ng trabaho. It could have been worse. Kasi nga po, complete lockdown ang nangyari sa atin."

No penalty on passengers

Penalties for violations of the Department of Transportation's policy of "no face shield, no ride" are only on the drivers: P5,000 fine for first offense, P10,000 for second offense, and P30,000 fine and 30-day suspension of franchise or cancellation of franchise, for third offense.

Memorandum-circular 2020-014 requires passengers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to wear face shields on top of face masks while commuting.

But offending passengers will be merely refused the ride or asked to get off the vehicle. The burden will be on the drivers, whose action or omission will affect the franchise holders, mostly owners and operators of the vehicles, who could've their permit to operate suspended or revoked.

Different opinions

Two radio broadcasters look differently at the seizure of 12 kilos of shabu or crystal meth Saturday, August 15, at a courier company in Mandue City.

In separate commentaries Monday, August 17, both on dyCM radio:

[1] Eric Siras Manait said the huge haul of illegal drugs valued at P81.6 million showed that President Rodrigo Duterte had not been able to contain the drug problem, which, Eric said, the President promised to solve in six months, counted from his assumption of office on June 30, 2016. (Duterte later extended the self-imposed deadline to one year, then three years, and finally the end of his term in 2022.)

[2] Chito Aragon said the seizure meant that at least 10,000 people were spared from using the illegal drugs and thus helped protect public health.

Eric's view assumes that the President is bound to his six-month promise and must answer, by command responsibility, for the continuing rampant drug trafficking and related crimes.

Chito's view assumes that drug users who are denied the use of the seized drugs could not get their supply from other sources. Still the seizure meant the market was reduced by 12 kilos, unless, as alleged by skeptics, by some magic it would find its way back to the market.

Eric and Chito both agreed that it was an accomplishment that deserved applause.

Dog's feat and 'bogo' tag

Chito Aragon (subbing for regular host Jason Monteclar on "Anak Bisaya") said the dog that sniffed out the large haul of illegal drugs should get the credit for the finding.

The drugs were contained in three black boxes, which upon X-ray examination showed organic substance and not the declared content of LED spotlights. The boxes yielded shabu placed in tea bags, each wrapped and sealed with black rubber.

Chito said the dog's feat would make up for the embarrassment heaped on Cebuanos whom President Duterte called "hard-headed" and "stubborn" for violating quarantine violations.

There may be a spoiler to that accolade to the dog. It is not yet certain if the dog is a native Cebuano or was trained in Cebu.

It could be a product of Metro Manila, specifically the Zemog K9 Training Center in Putting Bato, Inarawan, Antipolo City. Last July 2019, PDEA deployed 100 new drug-sniffing dogs and handlers to various units of the agency in the country. The Cebu unit must be among the recipients of the sniffer dogs.

Or the "hero dog" could come from the Philippine Coast Guard K9 Group, which handles special training for explosives detection by dogs at the CG base in Taguig City.

Whatever, cheers to the dog, its handlers, and the police and PDEA agents who conducted the operation.

***

Tell us about it.

[paseares1@gmail.com]