Policing the police

LOCAL leaders, as represented by the mayors, have joined the provincial government’s outcry against the Department of Interior and Local Government for including Pangasinan in the list of what are considered as areas of concern in the 2013 elections.

We agree with the politicians that the “high risk” label is unfortunate as well as undeserved. The province is largely peaceful during and out of election season. Yes, there have been violence between political personalities, but these are usually contained in the community, a situation not uncommon in the Philippine political setting — and definitely not at a level of intensity as in some areas where hostilities are aggravated by a sense of impunity.

On the other hand, the Philippine National Police, including at the regional level under Superintendent Franklin Jesus Bucayu, have welcomed the tag because they say it will justify the fielding of more police resources to the area. But what they fail to acknowledge is that it is in fact an indictment of the law enforcement’s failure to keep peace in the communities. The failure of the provincial and town police units to disarm and disband the private armed groups is the principal reason for the labelling.

And so the mayors, as well as the Espino administration including the provincial board, should not just be training their frustration towards the DILG for giving the province what they consider an unwarranted bad image. The high-risk mark must also serve as a reminder to our local leaders that the police chiefs of the province, the cities and municipalities need closer supervision.

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Smoking President

EVERY now and then, President Aquino would cough when speaking in public. Recently in Tagaytay, he coughed rather terribly while addressing the MediaNation Summit. Earlier, he failed to receive International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde due to a flu and cold. Against doctor’s advice because of the flu and cold, he flew to Cambodia for the Asean summit where grueling sessions awaited him.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona had advised him time and again to “take a break”, aside from coaxing the President to quit smoking. While flu and cold can’t kill, smoking can. And flu and cold are aggravated by smoking, which also weakens your resistance and anti-bodies.

A healthy President ensures that a government is in good hands. If he keeps on smoking, P-Noy will never be 100 percent healthy. He’s therefore flirting with disaster.

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