By Leonardo Micua

 

HAPPY New Year to one and all!

Social media political trolls had their day again last week when a supposed holdup incident was circulated online, allegedly occurring in broad daylight at the busy intersection of A.B. Fernandez Avenue and Arellano Street. The problem: the incident never happened.

A thorough investigation conducted by the Dagupan Police Office (DPO), including a review of available CCTV footage in the area, established that no such crime took place.

The supposed holdup turned out to be nothing more than a fabrication—apparently born out of a fertile imagination and posted to sow alarm and discredit the city administration of Mayor Belen Fernandez.

The Facebook page “Information on Dagupan” was tagged as the alleged source of the false report. Given its previous attempts to troll the city executive for political ends, it is not difficult to suspect that the intent was once again to embarrass Mayor Fernandez and her administration in the court of public opinion, particularly among unsuspecting social media users.

Beyond its political motive, the fake report is an affront to the Dagupan Police Office itself. The city is currently secured by more than 500 police officers and personnel deployed.

To suggest that a brazen holdup could occur at a busy intersection in broad daylight is to unfairly undermine the credibility, preparedness, and hard work of the local police force.

False reports such as this are not harmless jokes. They create unnecessary fear among residents, damage public trust, and unfairly malign institutions tasked with maintaining peace and order. In an era where misinformation spreads faster than verified facts, accountability becomes even more crucial.

The DPO, in coordination with the city government, should seriously consider taking appropriate action against those behind the dissemination of fake news.

Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to invent crimes for political mischief. Social media platforms should not be allowed to become playgrounds for irresponsible and malicious trolling.

Political differences are part of a democracy. Fabricating crimes is not. Those who peddle fake news must be reminded—firmly and lawfully—that public safety and public trust are not matters to be trifled.

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The investigation into the anomalous flood control projects of the Department of Public  Works and Highways (DPWH) has suffered a temporary setback following the tragic death of former Undersecretary Catalina “Cathy” Cabral,  a few days before Christmas.

Reports indicate that she took her own life by jumping into a ravine along Kennon Road at Camp 3 in Tuba, Benguet, on the night of December 18, landing at the edge of the Bued River.

Or was she pushed down the precipice by a person who could be exposed if Cabral continued her testimony with the ICI, but who remains unidentified?

Prior to her death, Cabral and her driver had checked in at Ion Hotel on Legarda Road in Baguio before returning to Tuba, where she sat on a concrete barrier, seemingly contemplating the raw beauty of nature.

Rumors swirled that she was to meet someone in Baguio. We do not know if that meeting ever took place.

A Rodrigo Duterte appointee, Cabral played a pivotal role in the scandal that has shaken the DPWH, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.

She was reported to have had connections to lawmakers allegedly involved in budget insertions that benefited from questionable projects, making her a potential star witness in the ongoing investigations.

Although she previously denied receiving kickbacks related to these ghost and substandard projects, the circumstances of her death raise questions about potential pressures she and her family may have faced from officials implicated in the flood control anomalies.

We are glad that even if the star witness is already gone, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the Department of Justice, and the Ombudsman are determined to continue the investigation into the flood control irregularities until those responsible are brought to justice.

This suggests that the public officials involved in these illicit activities—whoever they are— are not yet off-the-hook and remain at risk of accountability.

Meanwhile, President Marcos failed to uphold his promise that the big fish in the flood control anomalies would be spending their Christmas behind bars.

How can it be? The big fish are still out there and laughing!

Again, Happy New Year to all!