One of our biggest problem is the worsening traffic situation. There was a time when distance was the factor that determined the time it would take to go from one place to another. Now, the traffic is often an even more important factor. Sensible citizens do their best to alleviate this problem. They don’t go out unless necessary and avoid passing in roads that are already congested. But Elly Velez Pamatong has not only done something illegal to worsen our traffic predicament; he has made it hazardous to even use a vehicle in many of our main thoroughfares. He has literally littered many of our main highways with metal spikes to flatten the tires of the cars that pass. He says that it is his non-violent way of first, stamping out corruption in the government, second, proclaiming his continued support for Fernando Poe Jr. The man wears a necktie obviously inspired by the American flag and once led a demonstration to disperse a protest rally against the war in Iraq in front of the American Embassy.
He said that he would not surrender to the authorities. If wanted, he would flee to the mountains. He has also warned that there would be a second phase of "Oplan Tadiac", the name he has given his metal spike activity that would even more difficult. The good thing is that he added that it would not involve weapons or violence.
The real question now is how long can he evade arrest? After what he has admittedly done, his life has only one useful purpose – to show how the laws of our country deal with lawyers who knowingly and willfully violate the laws they have sworn to uphold. When arrested and if found guilty of the crime he has owned, he should automatically be disbarred. As is, he claims that he is an "international lawyer" because he once practiced in the United States.
In his attempt to project himself, he has even been seen in TV expounding his nefarious act. We hope that the authorities can find his whereabouts so that our courts can enforce the laws on lawyers who take the law on their hand.
We have many problems facing the country today. Everyone should try to be part of the solution to these problems. Unbelievably enough, there are people like Elly Velez Pamatong who don’t want to be part of the solutions. What they do is contribute new problems.