BULL’S HIT

Gang wars, parking extortion in Baguio
Rudy Garcia

With all these Mega scams coming right after the other there can be no doubt that our country is one among the most corrupt country in Asia and what are our national leaders doing? What have we been doing as citizens?

We continuously regale ourselves with endless chit-chat, debates and talks on who is right, what should be done, what should not have been done and so forth. Funny, but pathetic. Look at what our leaders are now doing -- accusing and pinpointing each other with accusations of bribery and denials.

With all those inquiries and investigations, we still have to see those top officials jailed (with the exception of former president Joseph Estrada.) So what happened to the past noises like computerization of the Commission on Elections, the monstrous scam like the NAIA 3, the fertilizer scam of Joc-Joc Bolante, the mysterious account of “Jose Pidal” and now the ZTE NBN which seems to be dying a natural death.

The acts of government officials accusing other officials of bribery could be considered courage if these were done in good faith. It is easy to accuse but difficult to prove. I just can’t help but wonder that with all the modern technologies we have, these people accusing others of attempted bribery are failing to prove their allegations.

Do they still need to be informed that high tech gadgets are available at the market? We already have these mini-spy cameras, mini cassette recorders and mini video cams you can even hide them inside your pocket?

So, how come our government leaders who have the money and resources to buy these modern tech gadgets can’t present any evidence to prove their allegations and to make things easier and quick? “Para hindi naman masayang ang effort at oras ng ating mga otoridad katulad ng Senado?

All of these are happen right in front of our faces and we are doing nothing. At the rate things are going with us Pinoys, it’s not far fetched that we could maintain the “most corrupt country” tag in the next couple of years.

Remember the saying, “For evil to triumph, good men should do nothing.” I urge every peace loving citizen in this country to get out from your comfort zones and fight for your rights. The welfare of your children, your children’s children and future Filipino generations are at stake.
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It is interesting to know what good lessons our Baguio councilors have learned from their recent “Lakbay Aral” mission last week, aside from getting to know how much they have spent. Did they learn a lesson and were taught how to deal with our garbage problems?

They have been out of town for “Lakbay Aral” at times when our city started to stink because of uncollected piles of garbage on the streets. These garbage would remain there unless segregated. Blame it to the order of the city mayor -- “No segregation, no collection.”

Maybe the good mayor should reconsider his order since health hazards are looming on the community due to uncollected garbage. Have we forgotten meningococcemia and other related diseases this city went through? I would not even want to think of what may happen if the mayor stands pat on his first order.

Anyway, the Baguio Health Department and DOH are there to do extra loads of responsibilities. Kawawa naman ang mga DOH at BHD dahil sa maaring mangyari bunsod sa di makatuwirang order.
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I was walking along Abanao St. going downward afternoon of Oct. 8 when a commotion on the other side of the road caught my attention. Passers by stopped to see these two groups of male youngsters believed to be members of warring gang groups or fraternities having a rumble just beside Abanao Square.

Windshields and windows of passing vehicles were nearly damaged from thrown broken bottles and stones. Maybe some onlookers called the police, but again, most, if not all of these troublemakers eventually were gone from the scene before the cops arrived. Nothing new really, just like the usual movies wherein the lawbreakers were gone before the lawmen came.

Call it luck for these trying hard young street gangsters for I was in my formal attire that moment, otherwise these young “siga siga” may have learned their good lessons if I were on my casual or sports attire. These errant kids really need a little whipping to wake them up so they will mend their ways.

I have been writing and calling the attention of our authorities to act immediately and decisively on this matter regarding these young gang groups and fraternity members but this may not have taken seriously by concerned authorities, reason why this problem has gone too far.

If these young monsters on the loose are not corrected, they could become future big time gangsters. You see, they are now becoming bold and daring that they are now inclined to do more than what they usually have been doing.

They do more harm now than before so they could a leader or superior of their group. Take for example the grenade throwing incident on Oct. 9 inside a computer shop along Bonifacio St. wherein 12 persons were injured.

This incident was perceived as gang related based on findings by the police. This is alarming yet the Baguio mayor who himself is young and energetic claimed that this was an isolated case.
I would like to inform the good mayor that based on information’s being fed by concerned persons to the police, those responsible are now telling other people that there will be more to come.

Scare tactic or not, we should all be on our toes for any eventuality that may happen especially our city officials and the police. I also urge the parents to cooperate and report any unusual behavior or activities of your children and their companions. Let’s work hand in hand to put an end to this menace. Let’s act now.

I would also want to remind mayor Peter Rey Bautista that next time he issues statements like what he did, maybe its better for him to have second thought first or else this might do more harm than good. I hope his statement will not be misconstrued as a message to the youth, that they can continue their wrongdoing and be condoned or tolerated making them feel like “untouchables.” right Mr. Mayor?
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Do we need to treat foreign owned businesses like tutorial and language centers or schools in very special way like what the concerned authorities are doing now? I ask this question following a complaint forwarded to this writer by a concerned citizen regarding those foreign owned centers or schools who don’t have business permits to operate but are freely operating without any fear of being padlocked by authorities.

In fact the complaint revealed that concerned government authorities mandated to regulate these centers have known ledge and even identified these centers which didn’t have proper documents and failed to register at their offices.

“Bakit alam nila yung mga illegal na nag-ooperate and yet they don’t go after them especially the immigration office. Concentrated sila sa penalties for late payments ng visa. Ang passports pero di naman sila seryosong humabol sa mga nagoopereyt na di man lang parigester sa kanila, nag aantay pa sila na may magreport,” said the complaint.

Well, calling the attention of the Bureau of Immigration and TESDA. Kindly check this complaint if this is true. Also, the Bureau of Internal Revenue district office in Baguio City, please verify if those foreign owned especially Korean tutorial and language schools have completed their required payment of taxes.

Pakibusisi ninyo naman ito mga sir at mam para di naming isipin na meron kayong patong, lagay, hatag o datung na napapakinabangan mula sa mga dayuhang Koreano kaya kayo nagbibingi bingihan at nagbubulag bulagan.

Ano rin sey mo dito Mayor Bautista and the city councilors kasali rin ba kayo sa mga bulag pipi, at bingi” Gising!
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Some vehicle owners are wondering why they have to pay parking fee when they park their vehicles along Calderon St. and some part of the road at Diego Silang St. particularly beside Gamaphel building and at the triangular island and UCPB building.

They are now asking with disgust if this is allowed or authorized by concerned Baguio City Officials and who authorized those wash and watch your car boys to do the parking fee collection? Are they registered as parking attendants?

Our city officials have a lot of explaining to do in this particular issue. Yes, the Jadewell parking system is now out from Baguio streets and yet, here comes another and these unscrupulous people are apparently extorting money from motorists and they even make this appear as legitimate parking fees. Nakakahiya!

Pakibusisi ninyo naman ito, Mayor Bautista, Administrator Peter Fianza, Councilor Rocky Balisong at Inspector Samuel Bumangil. Can I expect immediate action from you gentlemen? Sampolan!