EDITORIAL — An example

An infuriating video now circulating online shows a shirtless man dumping a sack full of garbage into the sea near the Pasil Fish Port in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, before nonchalantly walking away.

We say infuriating because he is making the city ugly, spitting in the face of those who actively keep the city clean, and serving as a bad example to the people around him.

The good news is that he was quickly found and brought before Mayor Nestor Archival. In a video also posted online by the city government, the mayor chastises him for his actions and gives him several citations for his violations.

Juanito Sandoval has apologized for his actions.

“Ako nay magbantay didto kung na’y manglabay… Ako’y mobadlong didto… mangayo lang ko’g pasaylo,” he said.

“I am asking every Cebuano: Please help us protect our rivers and coastal waters. Dispose of waste properly and encourage others to do the same… The future of our environment depends not only on what government does, but on what each of us chooses to do every day… Let’s keep Cebu City clean --together,” said Mayor Archival.

We say “chastise” because Mayor Archival doesn’t seem that upset at all about what just happened. In fact, he almost looks cheerful while telling Sandoval off. He could have been more stern, given his reputation as an environmentalist.

We aren’t saying that he should have been cussing and shouting at Sandoval for what he did, no. But he should have been more serious, more imposing, or even a bit more intimidating to show violators that he means business when going after those who think they can just make the city ugly and get away with it.

With that said, we think people should look at Sandoval as an example. An example of what not to do, an example of what happens to people who think they can just dump trash into the sea and, if he really reforms and changes his ways, an example of how people should behave.

Juanito was only caught because his act was caught on camera. But we are sure there are others doing the same and getting away with it because their actions weren’t recorded or observed.