Terror and Ebola threat

Credible information on a potential terror threat to bomb Metro Manila has ostensibly been transmitted to local authorities by US intelligence agencies. But as might be expected, it is only now that we’re preparing for such an eventuality – being reactive instead of showing preparedness. The US Embassy has already warned its citizens in the country to be extremely cautious especially in crowded areas.

Presumably, the main targets would be places like malls, markets and airports where more often than not security is a bit lax with guards just doing a cursory search on bags. Schools could become likely targets as well considering reports that some schools in Metro Manila have already received bomb threats.

Not for anything but a lot of people are furious at what they perceive as “denial mode” from authorities who said they received no information about plans to bomb Metro Manila — despite the recent apprehension of three suspected bombers. Reports from several sources also indicate that the ISIS (Islamic State of Syria and Iraq) has been actively recruiting students in Mindanao — and Intelligence information indicates that “test runs” are conducted to assess the readiness of new recruits.

Unfortunately, not many share the confidence of Malacañang about the ability of the PNP to thwart terror threats or to even “pre-empt any criminal activities” due to perceptions that the police are unreliable, with many of them implicated in criminal activities. The thing is — PNP Director General Alan Purisima is currently distracted by corruption issues. There is no substitute for vigilance and no excuse for complacency. Nowadays, one can never be too sure about the face of terror, because even innocuous looking people turn out to be terrorist operatives.

Another major and serious concern is the health threat posed by the Ebola virus, with the US and Canadian authorities already conducting stricter screening measures in all their major airports. The global death toll is almost 3,900 with over 8,000 people infected — and there are fears that Ebola could spread to Spain and other European countries after confirmation that a Spanish nurse had been infected.

World Bank chief Jim Kim has expressed disappointment over the international community’s insufficient response to the lethal virus, warning that the crisis could get worse. Hindsight always happens after the fact, and Kim is lamenting that more organized efforts could have been made for vigilant monitoring when the first cases were reported.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health spearheaded the National Ebola Virus Disease Summit the other day to raise awareness about the deadly disease, and to figure out ways to prevent its spread in case the virus reaches our shores. The DOH has also issued guidelines to hospitals including isolation procedures and infection control, and people are hoping hospitals and health institutions would be prepared for the disease described by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international concern.

We certainly hope Dr. Ona is on top of the situation considering that we have an estimated 13 million overseas Filipino workers deployed in many parts of the world including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea — countries in West Africa where the disease is described as well-entrenched and growing “exponentially.”   

A lot of OFWs are expected to come home for the Christmas holidays and one difficulty — aside from the uncertainty about the capability of airport personnel in screening potential virus carriers — is that people could lie like Thomas Duncan, the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the US and who died in Dallas Wednesday. Duncan reportedly lied in a questionnaire if he had been in contact with anyone affected by Ebola. Apparently, the Spanish nurse also failed to disclose that she had been in direct contact with an Ebola patient.

Just think what would happen if an OFW, who has unknowingly been exposed to Ebola came home for the holidays, receives an influx of visiting friends and relatives from many parts of the country. As usual, Filipino humor comes into play in the face of a serious crisis with people joking: “Metro Manila’s deadly pollution would kill the most fatal virus on earth — including the one known as ‘eh bola’.”

Perceived selective justice

People are asking what it is about PNP Director General Alan Purisima that even feared tax Chief Kim Henares seems to be pulling her punches, saying she will not conduct a lifestyle check on the beleaguered police chief whose biggest defender has been Malacañang.

While Senators Sonny Trillanes and Alan Peter Cayetano have been going hammer and tongs against Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family at the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee hearing, Palace spokespersons have thumbed down a separate probe on Purisima and his questionable Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth or SALN.

Everyone knows the SALN was the ultimate weapon used during the impeachment of then-Chief Justice Renato Corona, and a lot of people couldn’t help but think that Corona’s accusations that he was selectively targeted has a ring of truth in it.

In any case, the only way to properly resolve these issues would be through the courts. Aside from the fact that the accused will be able to defend themselves in the right venue, this would prevent the perception of “selective justice” and downplay suspicions that some Senate investigations are really in aid of politics — not legislation. The “bosses” have spoken — 70 percent of Filipinos said they do not agree to proposals that limit the powers of the Supreme Court to review Executive decisions — which observers note is an indication that people are getting concerned that the administration’s “straight path” could be following a “crooked path.”

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