Tomas: No link between gangs and rift with Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Tomas Osmeña said yesterday there is no connection with the ongoing rift between him and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the increasing tension among gangs in the city.

Osmeña made the statement in reaction to an earlier statement of a priest who said he could not help but ask if the heating situation among gangs, which oftentimes ended in the loss of young lives, could be a reflection of how local leaders behave. The priest refused to be named.

But Osmeña said he does not believe the political bickering between him and the governor has influenced the conflict between warring gangs.

“No, If that’s his observation, then ang akong pangutana sa Pari, when Cain killed Abel is it the fault of God?” Osmeña said. He also challenged the priest to come into the open and discuss the matter.

“Let him come out in the open. We’ll have a public discussion about this because people have to see what we stand for. Because if what they want is dictatorship, don’t impose that on us,” he said.

Yet Osmeña said he understands the comment of the priest, considering the latter’s orientation as servant of the church.

“You know, in the church, it is absolute dictatorship, nobody can argue with the pope and even the pope could not argue with God. That’s why I can understand his position. But if we are going to follow that way of thinking, we might as well have a dictatorship also,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña said the situation between him and Garcia simply indicates that democracy is at work. The upcoming election is also a determining factor.

“And what does election means? Election means clash of ideas. Because if there’s unity, what do you need elections for? So we have to be reminded that in a democratic process, bickering, argumentative, etc… that’s democracy,” Osmeña said. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)