Unnoticed but praiseworthy

“Good week for the cops, Bad week for the bad guys.”

That is how I would sum up the past few weeks in terms of crime fighting and image boosting for the Philippine National Police. While not much has been said about their performance, I certainly noticed how various elements of the PNP were very active and effective in solving a series of crimes, busting criminal elements and doing what they are supposed to do. Not only are they now our “Heroes on EDSA,” they have been very heroic in engaging criminals with intent to harm beyond Metro Manila.

Big on their scorecard was the arrest of two men in connection with the publicized murder/carnapping cases of Ozu Ong of the Masculados Dos on August 2 and Seaman Arnest Agbayani on August 18, both of whom were apparently murdered in cold blood and their respective SUVs stolen by the perpetuators. While I picked up the information only last week, it seems that the cops had made several arrests, did ballistics comparison and linked both murders to one gun taken from the suspects. The break in the case came through the actions of the PNP-ANCAR or Anti-carnapping group, along with the Rizal province PNP operatives. The PNP also neutralized five carnapping suspects who were trailing a taxi but ended up engaging the PNP when intercepted. That ended badly for all five who chose to die rather than surrender.

Even the Manila Police, which has been haunted by the Luneta hostage/massacre, was in the papers for neutralizing a suspected robber turned hostage taker inside a bus. While lives remain precious to all, it is clear that elements of the Manila Police are no longer going to tolerate hostage taking especially inside a bus and they will not allow things to escalate.

Towards the end of the week, law enforcers also arrested a member of the notorious West African Drug syndicate that is responsible for hiring Filipinos and Filipinas that end up becoming drug mules to various countries in the region. Unless you’ve been out of the country, the PNP under General Ric Marquez has waged an all out war against drug dealers, which the previous leadership failed to prioritize. So before anybody says the media does not notice, I would like to say congratulations to the PNP for being on the road, in the game and winning the fight against criminality. Let’s all try to share the good news about the PNP so that they continue to be inspired.

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I recently met a “Grocer” from Laguna who explained to me the difficulties of operating groceries and told me that their margins are so small they have to creatively charge retailers for “listing fees” “shelf space priority” etc. When I frowned on the practice, he patiently pointed out that they are now faced by a high amount of organized-syndicate funded and protected “Shop Lifting Industry.” Not only do shoplifters operate in waves, they are financed and provided bail for cases that don’t prosper because grocers find themselves in a no win situation. If they pursue cases, the thieves generally jump bail; the attorney’s fees are X times more than the goods stolen.

Their appeal to the PNP and the NBI is to bust the syndicates backing and funding the shoplifters because only when you cut the head will this body die.

In the same manner I hope the CIDG and the rest of the force are also able to track and neutralize those ATM kidnappers who’ve been grabbing women coming from banks. This happened a few years back to one of our staff in Lipa City and also happened to a colleague from ABS-CBN who came from BIR QC and was found wandering in Baguio City many days later.

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One of our readers writes:

Dear Media People,

How I wish anybody among you could trigger a movement to help us senior citizens in regards to jeepney transportation. Many senior citizens, if not all, are suffering from back pains.  It’s really very punishing riding the jeepney since you cannot walk straight up inside. Why is there no jeepney with a high roof? I really wish you can feature this concern in one of your columns so it will reach those who can do something about this.

Thank you very much and more power.

Kuya Boy Comandao

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Considering there are several millions of Senior Citizens in the Philippines, one would think or assume that there is a dedicated national office for Senior Citizen Affairs. But after asking around, I learned from no less than Attorney Romy Macalintal one of the well known champions of senior citizens that all these things are left with local governments through the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs under the Mayor’s office. Why?

Just about every other age or gender bracket has some form of dedicated national office, why not for senior citizens. LGUs cannot influence the DTI, DOTC, DILG or DPWH regarding policies and programs related to senior citizens.

The sad truth about Mr. Comandao’s appeal is that no administration has ever dared to fix our transport system in order to meet international standards for passenger needs and safety especially the elderly and the handicapped. The jeepney may be Iconic but it is a coffin on wheels, tricycles are 3-wheeled death traps now being extended and enlarged to hurt and maim more. Our city buses are not designed for cities and commuters but for highway tours that require large luggage space beneath. As a result passengers have to clamber on board instead of stepping into and out of buses! The LTFRB should set up a new service or franchise for vehicles designed and strictly devoted to senior citizens, PWDs and pregnant women.

People don’t ever think about covered walkways but in a country where the sun can cook an egg at noon, senior citizens and children should have covered walkways especially on main pedestrian passages that are good; rain or shine! This is something the DILG and the DPWH should study and prioritize as allowable projects for LGUs.

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