Sign of the times

WHILE the peace and order in Pangasinan is generally stable, with no unusual rise in crimes indices taking place, we have to acknowledge that we live in a volatile situation today, with acts of terrorism happening in the country and around the globe.

There is no telling that hired gunmen or criminals would not consider carrying out violence for big sums of cash, or that no one would be influenced to commit suicide by having himself or herself blasted by bombs strapped to his body for that privilege to enjoy eternal bliss in heavenly paradise because it isn’t possible for them to have it on earth.

Pangasinan continues to enjoy peace and we have our police and armed forces to thank for our situation unlike in some provinces beset by violence perpetrated daily by  Muslim separatists and the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

But we cannot be lulled into complacency and negligence. Terrorism knows no boundaries. It can plant seeds in our barangays when we least expect it.

While our police are trained to keep an eye on terrorism, they have a blind side – there is not enough personnel and equipment to cover and protect all barangays. As communities, we must plan together on how to best protect our families and neighbors.   

A big plus for protection is the installation of as many CCTV cameras in as many households looking out to the streets that can help detect and trace movements of strangers in the neighborhood. The dissemination of police hotlines to all household members with mobile phones will be a major factor as well. Barangays can plan with the police on other ideas. 

These are dangerous times… and it will likely be with us for a long time. So be alert and prepare for the worst.

Janitress’ heroism

IF you are gay, does that change your sex?  Of course, not.  What you change is how you feel: If you are male at birth and you end up gay, you feel and act like female.  Your belief changes, too.  If you are male, you believe you are female.  You insist:  “As gay, I am a woman trapped in a man’s body.”  OK, fine. But still, that does not change your sex at birth.  So why the fuss over a janitress’ decision to deny a male to use a female’s bathroom in a Quezon City mall?  The janitress was just doing her job: Protecting the female’s privacy in her exclusive domain.  The janitress deserves commendation.  Look, what would prevent a male from disguising as a female just to intrude into an exclusive female turf?  About time we required malls and other establishments to build bathrooms for gays. Logical.

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