Punchline
Friendly “texts” to hitmen
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
NO matter how hard I try to see the logic and purpose of the decision of the PNP to suspend the privilege granted licensed firearm holders in Pangasinan to carry their firearms outside their residence, I simply cannot see an iota of justification for it.
What I found ludicrous was the explanation that the suspension of the privilege will enable law enforces to easily spot the hired hitmen. How so? Since only they would be carrying their handguns…and read this… the bulges around their waists or inside their pants would give them away. Duh? I can’t help but wonder where our cops get their “intelligence-gathering” training these days.
The announced suspension to the media serves no other purpose but to send the alert signal to the hired hitmen that their intended targets are disarmed, guaranteed to be sitting ducks waiting to be mowed down, with no possibility of a return fire at any time and from any angle or position. The PNP could have just very well texted the message with unli load: “So take your pick of the judges, the lawyers, the government officials, politicos, businessmen…and yes, media practitioners, they are unarmed!”
The “bold” announcements of PNP directives aggravated the situation for the disarmed targets. Making it known that there will be more checkpoints, an augmentation of police force by elements trained for street and field warfare, etc. was like sending out advisory texts to the hitmen and criminals: “Modify your plans accordingly in order to elude arrest.”
As someone correctly commented: On whose side is the PNP?
The only way the PNP can assure citizens of peace and security in our communities is to bring about results. But I guess since there are no results to show, so press releases and conferences remain the only options left.
* * * * *
THE 10 YEARS HUNT. Speaking of results, here is one.
There was the successful arrest of the 8th wanted person in Pangasinan after 10 years of eluding lawmen. Great? The fact the fugitive was nabbed in his own house and AFTER 10 YEARS tells us something was very wrong and unusual about the circumstances.
What I thought incredible bordering on ridiculous was the fact that it took the police 10 long years to find the rapist at his home, and not even in a faraway hideout! Could it be possible that the guy never even left his house for the past 10 years but nobody cared to check?
It’d be interesting to hear OIC provincial director Sr. Supt. Sterling Blanco report to the provincial board how many pending warrants of arrests remain shelved and archived before he assumed his post. If the board members can get the numbers and details, let those stats be added measure for evaluating his performance periodically.
But Mr. Blanco, for his own good, can preempt the pesky board members. He can require all the police chiefs to report to him how many warrants remain unserved and on whom. That should indicate to him how efficient or inefficient the Pangasinan command has been over the years.
It boggles my mind the national police leadership is already tooting its horns over it’s current 37% crime solution rate, up from a dismal 13%, a 100.9 increase kuno!
Boy, aren’t we in trouble!
* * * * *
FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR FARMERS. It was heartening to learn from Cong. Gina de V that she has filed a bill that will provide more financial security for our farmers, particularly agrarian reform beneficiaries, through mandatory crop insurance.
Having seen how our government is doing all possible to assist our overseas workers who dare to improve their lot by seeking employment abroad, it is unforgiveable that little is being done for our farmers who toil under the sun and rain for decades to produce the food for our families to consume.
Our farmers risk borrowing capital from loan sharks with the hope and prayer that their farms would not be wiped out at anytime by flooding, drought or pests. In truth, the odds have always been against them. With an average of 20 typhoons lashing at our farmlands every year, their chances of recovery every year are practically less than 50%! Everyone is aware of this but the gritty farmers are constantly in denial until they see their farmlands completely wasted.
With this situation, until the farmers are provided with viable financial security, there is no way majority of our countrymen can feel the “inclusive growth” that our government loves to brag about.
Let’s hope the rest of our Pangasinan congressmen will rally support for Manay Gina’s bill. In fact, they all should co-author such a bill.
* * * * *
MAYOR BELEN’S LEGACY. The celebration of the 67th birthday of the Dagupan City last Friday cannot but be seen as portent of good things to happen under Mayor Belen Fernandez’s “Balon Dagupan” battlecry.
Mayor Belen could have merely recited recycled plans and vision to regale her audience as her predecessor had done with perfection but she didn’t. Few in semantics, her report on her ongoing pro-people programs were enough to impress upon her constituents that better times are ahead. Each program is clearly aimed at uplifting the lot of those who dearly need the government to survive.
The city has undoubtedly elected a mayor who puts into action where her mouth is. Take a bow, Mayor Belen! That is the awesome legacy you can build on!
* * * * *
CHINESE ALIENS. The report about the arrest of Chinese nationals from People’s Republic of China by immigration officials is a cause for worry in the light of our security problems with that country today.
I could be paranoid about it but I found it unusual that they would all be found working in one area, all with different circumstances about their presence here. They began arriving in the country since 2008, the latest arrival was May 12, 2014.
When arrested, seven had no documents to show, only six presented passports some of which had expired visas as tourists.
It’d be interesting to find out the results of the investigation.
Meanwhile, I strongly suggest to our patriotic kabaleyans to start being observant and nosey about the presence of strangers in their midst. Let’s be suspicious particularly of strangers in the community who don’t understand English, Tagalog, Ilocano or Pangasinan, and only speak Chinese.
Contact our immigration officials who can be reached at the Dagupan Astrodome.
* * * * *
A belated happy birthday to Gov. Spines!
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
