Duterte’s inheritance

>> Tuesday, July 19, 2016

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March Fianza

It does not show, but the feeling and body language indicate that President Duterte and his law enforcers are experiencing difficulties in fighting the drug problem, especially so because those in the frontlines who are involved in the search and arrest of drug personalities are caught between the decision to shoot or not to shoot their subjects.
Over the weekend, news reports said that since May 10 at least 103 alleged criminals were killed in drug operations whether on purpose or not. The public was quite terrified that human rights advocates have blamed outgoing President PNoy for not having a stand against the wave of killings in the last days of his term.
What had worsened the circumstances from simple arrests to shooting incidents was that ever since, policemen in the field had continuously violated the rules on engagement. This alarmed local drug personalities in the provinces who were compelled to surrender to authorities for fear of being shot unreasonably.  
In the Cordillera, at least 701 persons linked to illegal drugs as users and small-time pushers surrendered to the police and drug enforcement agency personnel while 22 were arrested on different occasions upon implementation of Oplan Tokhang by the PNP. One lawyer friend said, the situation is comparable to the Martial Law days.
Duterte’s firmness to run after those linked to the illegal drug trade in the country was motivated even more because thousands of youth were being victimized by the flourishing sale and distribution of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
This, in addition to what he knew all along about five police generals, two of them retired, who are directly linked to big time drug syndicates. In his speech during the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force last week, he named the five police generals as Joel Pagdilao, Edgardo Tinio, Bernardo Diaz and retired generals Marcelo Garbo and Vicente Loot who is now a town mayor in Cebu.
As President, he has access to lots of top secret information, although he claimed that he already knew of the five generals’ involvement in drug trade when he was still mayor of Davao. Duterte said that in the days to come he will be announcing names of LGU officials who are corrupt, particularly, their participation in the drug trade.
Because of sympathy for the death of ex-President Cory and for his battle cry “kung walang korap, walang mahirap”, Noynoy Aquino won the presidency. After all the bad experiences during the terms of Presidents Erap Estrada and GMArroyo, people cried out for a fresh government free from graft and corruption.
There was honesty on the part of PNoy and sincerity to rid the government of corrupt officials, unfortunately his efforts were obstructed by his ties with his kabarkada and kabarilan whose caprices he was unable to turn down.
As President Duterte passes the first exciting (or boring) week in Malacanang, we find Noynoy’s unfinished job on his back. The traffic mess, colorum buses that Sec. Jun Abaya allowed to occupy the streets, undelivered license plates that were already paid for by the owners of the motor vehicles, and the MRT that kept breaking down almost daily were some of Aquino’s problems.
Add to the above the majority of typhoon Yolanda victims who still live in tents because donations totaling $90 billion is unaccounted; $26 billion that was lost to smugglers, outshining the smuggling loses during GMA, Erap and FVR; the PNP-SAF 44 massacre; and the K-12 education program that cannot take off, among others.
By the way, PNoy has consistently blamed former President GMA, his predecessor, for the blunders and failures of government service. It is now his turn to be blamed. Call it Karma or poetic justice when Duterte, not another “tuwid na daan” bet, won the presidency.
Talking about “tuwid na daan” bets in the persons of Mar Roxas and Grace Poe, I say the duo lost their chances when they gave way to PNoy in 2010. Regardless of the other bets, Mar could have been a better 2010 President, along with Poe as his running mate. It could have been the best tandem ever – a story that will never be told.   
Blunders and changes are the topics in barbershops and public circles, but Duterte and Police boss Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has never mentioned about illegal gambling, line agency directors and government workers who frequent casinos and private monte dens, and jueteng.
I ask how can President Duterte successfully present a government with workers who practice frugal lifestyles when there are assistant secretaries, or executive assistants of agencies who get sick if they do not visit the casino at least once a week, like this guy I know who brags about his closeness with Agriculture Sec. Pinol?
***
We now have a new Acting Police Regional Director for the Cordillera. Chief Supt. Robert Quenery presided over the assumption of command of Chief Supt. Elmo Francisco Oco Sarona at Camp Dangwa last week, after Chief Supt. Ulysses Abellera, now Atty, Abellera, opted to retire from service early.

During the turn over ceremony, 10 police personnel received the Medalya ng Papuri. The awardees were: PSupt. Joseph P. Bayongasan, PCInsp. Radino S. Belly, PSInsp. Ham B. Banag, PSInsp. Benson B. Macli-ing, PSInsp. James D. Acod, SPO4 Benedect S. Calado, SPO3 Jones C. Takayen, PO3 Agodian S. Laoana, PO2 Narvy K. Acosta, and PO1 Soriano K. Pablo.

0 comments:

  © Blogger templates Palm by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP  

Web Statistics