That knee-jerk reaction

THE decision of the national PNP leadership to suspend the permit to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) issued to licensed firearm holders in Pangasinan is gathering a storm of protest across the province.

While this reaction can be dismissed as self-serving for gun owners, the police should be more circumspect in its view because the sentiments expressed are indicative of the communities’ widespread feeling of insecurity in the province. Bluntly, communities don’t feel the police are capable of protecting them against criminal elements, what with recent high profile cases of killings.

The sanggunian panlalawigan resolution that manifested its objection to the measure prohibit legitimate gun-owners from carrying their firearms for protection and self-defense, could be deemed considered irrelevant if our elected officials felt the populace is safe and secure.  But the fact is, Pangasinenses don’t feel safe. This week Dagupan’s sanggunian will follow suit with its own resolution protesting the suspension of PTCFORs.

Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, a former police director himself, hit the nail on the head when he said that what the situation needs is higher police visibility anchored on the police’s established Three Tiered Defense System, namely improved intelligence operations, focused target hardening, and proactive crisis management.
Suspending the PTCFOR is clearly a knee-jerk reaction that does not help shore confidence in our police to secure our communities.

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Human first

JUAN Ponce Enrile deserves hospital arrest for just one reason:  His age.  At 90 years old, Enrile is more than qualified to cite humanitarian reason to free him from the rigors of a virtual life in prison.  Even war criminals of Nazi Germany received humane treatment when found guilty as charged.  Enrile isn’t even convicted yet.  Will we have to wait for the world to say we have become barbarians?  And do we want to make a hero out of Enrile?  Jailing him might amount to that.  He suffers from several ailments already, including poor eyesight as he couldn’t read anymore without the aid of a magnifying glass.  Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is presently under hospital arrest for election sabotage.  Why not Enrile, too, should the time come?  Erap Estrada was under house arrest before he was convicted of plunder.  Why not Enrile, too, should the time come?

We can prosecute.  We can even convict.  But first, let us be human first, please?

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