Think about it

By October 11, 2015Archives, Opinion

Tripartite approach vs crime needed

Jun-Velasco

By Jun Velasco

“The thief’s  purpose is to steal and kill and destory. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” -John 10:10

 

THOSE who are criticizing Governor Amado Espino Jr., and his son Board Member Pogi’s entry to the Liberal Party are tripping all over the place.

It’s the LP that needs the Espinos to ensure victory in this vote-rich province.

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The names of former Mayor Al Fernandez and Councilor Alfie Fernandez are often mentioned in Dagupan’s mayoralty speculations presumed a no-contest affair for re-electionist Mayor Belen Fernandez, but father and son are keeping distance.

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When will the Region 1 Medical Center start building the proposed 11-story edifice and solve patients’ overcrowding its alleys and corridors?

Director Roland Mejia says budget for the project is earmarked for next year, but how to deal with the  hundreds of patients crowding the hallways?     

Heartfelt condolence to the family and loved ones of — and prayers — for former Delegate Dick Primicias who died last week. He was 75.

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Even as the political heat is reaching scorching levels, our thoughts are invariably riveted to the non-stop killings in all parts of the country and everywhere worldwide!

Worrisome is the “common” view – it’s so ordinarily common we don’t need a sociologist to confirm it – that drug abuse is the major root of crimes everywhere!

It’s for this reason that we sought the province’s main authority – Col. Rolie Saltat, police provincial director – and his “immediate” official family, on the depth, scope, range, extent and gravity of the problem, and how competent and determined is this authority (Saltat and team) to lick it, with every Pangasinense’s support. Yes, every Pangasinense’s backing, because after all, it’s the whole Pangasinan populace that stands to benefit from Saltat’s  and the entire grand anti-crime caboodle’s success.

Due to his tight schedule, we settled for a small talk over a cup of coffee with the man in charge of community relations, Col. Ferdinand “Bingo” De Asis, who proved to be well informed.

From the looks of it, the police command is up to par; maybe not exceedingly better than those that came before, but, if we extract the truth from Bingo’s off-the-cuff’s accounts, our local police is succeeding in making itself visible, or better yet, make itself felt.

“Felt” would be better as it would mean police presence that would inspire a community’s sense of peace.

How dreadful and dreary if that sense, that “feel” of security is taken away from us! There are signs that police’s trustworthiness is on the wane as a general rule.  We are all dismayed by cops doing exactly the criminals’ jobs that the community wants out. “Bantay Salakay” has become a catchword, and we deplore it in our minds and hearts but, here’s the sad part, we are resigned to  helplessness in light of crime’s being germane or  integral to the ugly spin the entire world is being engulfed in,  as part of the war between good and evil, with the latter gaining a beach-head.

Why is evil beating the good in our milieu, in us, in ourselves?

Because, here’s the rub!, as the evangelists would  say, the attraction of evil and the bad is more powerful.

How can we beat the lure or allure of sweetness, of pleasure, of fame and lust albeit (and we know it!) temporary?

As we pondered this, our TV sets just made a good report of a series of police apprehensions of drug pushers and users in many parts of the province and four cities! Is this what Bingo is saying about Bossing Saltat trying to make a difference?  Well and good, then!  We, all Pangasinenses, stand by you, peace warriors!

Pangasinenses are lucky to have a determined police organization that’s focused on eliminating — or at least minimizing to a meaningful degree — the drug menace.

A grand salute, too, to Sec. Bebot Villar, chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board, the provincial government—the father-and-son team of Gov. Amado Espino Jr., and Board Member Amado “Pogi” Espino III – and the city of Dagupan’s anti-crime team of Mayor Belen Fernandez and Police Chief Chris Abrahano for the civilians’ grand rally against this despicable Satan ally!

It’s comforting that in spite of its tight hold on a number of government officials, it’s a matter of time the drug menace’s grip will slacken and give rein to a drug-free Pangasinan community.

Our schools under Supt. Eufrocina Bravo should design a creative program with accent on community participation.

Aside from coordinating the schools to keep them from the drug merchants, what should stand out is to keep the young’s minds beyond the reach of the dark influence.  It’s illumination that will do it.

Over the years, our meetings with local church leaders and evangelists the likes of Pastors Jun Fermill (the junior of the late newsman Jose N. Fermill) of the Word-Born Bride Tabernacle, Willie Carino (a self-confessed former drug addict and first cousin of the “Bad Boy” of Philippine Movies Robin Padilla) of the Word Manifested Believers, and Roger Olpindo of the Open Door Baptist Church have uncorked this shining truth: It’s only the God solution that permanently works!

It’s simple and plainly easy to say, but that is all of it in point of fact. Divine intervention will make it work.

On this account, we are proposing – that is, if it hasn’t been done yet! –  a tripartite action that would involve the government, the school and the church.

Let’s see if the forces of darkness can still have a foothold on our God-blessed shores!

 

(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)

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