Punchline
The 911 lessons
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
NOW that our OFW Mary Jane Veloso who was due for execution in Indonesia last April 28 was finally given a reprieve as prayed for, most everyone was just too happy to quickly turn to the prospects of the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. The whole saga that had a 10-day shelf life in media could very well be fodder for another tear-jerking TV teleserye.
Seriously, is it possible that the country’s thousands of present batch and would be OFWs have finally learned from her experience? Apparently, Mary Jane herself did not learn any even after being told countless times that OFWs are primary and easy targets as drug mules by members of West African drug syndicates operating in the country.
Just so everyone is in the loop, here’s the official count of Pinoys now languishing in foreign jails for attempting to smuggle in drugs: 870 detained (either on trial or convicted in countries that ban death penalty) and 41 awaiting execution in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, China, Indonesia and Vietnam. That’s 911 unlearned lessons in all.
Our PESO and CESO offices should have only one important lesson to inculcate in our OFWs, whether leaving for the first time or not – Never, never ever agree to check-in a luggage or box or bag from a relative (more so from “emotional” and “desperate” strangers on the pretext of “urgency”) handed at any port. One should even be immediately suspicious if the urgent request is accompanied by a $500 gratuity.
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NO RELEVANCE TO BBL? There is the news about chapters of Muslim groups and neighborhoods in Pangasinan that met recently.
It seemed the only main items in the agenda were the elections and the establishment of a Muslim cemetery in central Pangasinan. Curiously, nothing was said about any discussion about the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Is it an indication that they do longer identify with the decade old advocacy for a bangsamoro, not even for a law that could make them look forward to returning to their roots instead of wanting to establish a Muslim cemetery here?
Are the moros in Pangasinan having it so good that they no longer feel relevant to the causes now being debated in Congress? If that were the case, then that is most telling on what’s really happening in “Bangsamoro” Mindanao.
It is a testament to the fact that the Moros/Muslims in the province are co-existing peacefully in predominantly Christians communities. I believe the situation is true for all Muslim groups in Luzon where they reside. And also true in predominantly Christian communities in Mindanao.
If the hostilities in Mindanao are found only in predominantly Muslim communities, one wonders why there is a need to impose a Bangsmoro region in the country at all. It is the Moros that can’t get along with each other in an exclusive situation.
The Muslims that populate Gaza, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Kenya and Sudan. Varied groups have declared jihad among themselves.
And given what we the world is already seeing in foreign ‘bangsamoros,’ can the Philippine experience be the same? There are already at least 7 different moro groups in Mindanao not aligned with the MILF that are undertaking terroristic activities, so what good will the BBL serve?
Indeed, curiously, why has not the Pangasinan Integrated Muslims Assembly (PIMA) made its voice heard on the BBL?
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MUSLIMS VS. ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE? As the account of the PIMA meeting went, the leaders were still mouthing the usual motherhood statements, i.e., “supporting development in the province.”
From where I sit, those remain as empty rhetoric unless the new set of officers mean what they say this time. The last such statements heard over the years were about cooperating with the police in weeding out the drug pushers and traffickers in their midst. Have they done anything about it? Besides, wasn’t the group organized on the direction of then Provincial Director Isagani Nerez in a bid to help contain the illegal drug trade in the province?
Today, the blotters of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency continue to be filled with members of the Muslim communities, particularly in the province’s cities.
And recently, even the Muslim parents of an 11-year old who was caught delivering shabu in Mangaldan town would not even come forward to claim the son. Why?
Unless and until the PIMA leaders actively and visibly support government efforts to curb drug trafficking, the unfair profiling that’s already gaining traction – Muslims are drug pushers – will not be erased. They owe it, therefore, to every decent and peaceful loving Muslim in Pangasinan to give them a very positive image as hardworking, law-abiding citizens by going hammer and tong against the misfits in their communities.
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PIMA ADVISERS. There is also the report that Guv Spines, Cong Pol Bataoil and PD Rey Biay have been named PIMA advisers.
Perhaps their being listed bodes well for all not only to give the group an officious status because I’d like to believe that the group, indeed, looks up to the three’s guidance. If so, then the three should not waste time to harness them to finally, fully and actively support government in the campaign vs. illegal drugs.
But if the group merely wanted the three’s names as deodorizers, then Messrs. Espino, Bataoil and Biay should rethink lending their names to PIMA. If the group continues to fail and simply pays lip service while the number of Muslims engaged in illegal drug trade is increasing, one will wonder if the three, as advisers, are condoning it.
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WATERLESS PANGASINAN SOON? We in Pangasinan have every reason to count our blessings… especially these days!
There are 30 provinces in the Philippines experiencing a dry spell according to PAGASA.
The affected provinces are: Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Batanes, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Palawan, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, Saranggani, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Basila, Lanao del Sur and Sulu.
Note that all the provinces surrounding Pangasinan are all in trouble and even before the El Niño phenomenon fully sets in. If that is not a blessing, I don’t know what is.
In all likelihood, Pangasinan will soon experience the same but we have been given some leeway by God to prepare and alleviate the situation. We need to start a serious water conservation program if we are to survive El Niño.
In this regard, the provincial government should already consider organizing Water-Saver Patrols in our barangays to make sure that residents don’t waste water in their households. It should already issue guidelines how, where and when to conserve water for everyone’s easier understanding.
I sincerely hope Guv Spines will already consider launching a total approach in the campaign to help create good habits for the long term because the perennial threat of water shortage is already upon us. We must prepare for serious contingencies otherwise we will begin to suffer what Cebu is already experiencing today – waterless faucets.
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NOT STUPID. Our forever beauteous Lola Pacing Erfe-Verzosa of San Fabian made it to the 100 milestone, and still going strong! After the celebration, she had this line for me before she walked out of the party to rest: “No Erfe is stupid” and sheepishly smiled. That left me wondering whether it was an affirmation or an admonition of what I do. Hmm.
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