BULL’S HIT

An abusive cop/Bingo rama dens
Rudy Garcia

Now that the informant pointed his fingers to elements of the Armed forces of the Philippines as the ones behind the alleged abduction of Jonas Burgos, it’s but high time for the Dept. of Justice through its senior state prosecutor Velasco to hasten investigation and resolve this sensational case as soon as possible.

Some of his revelations maybe circumstantial but these are not enough reasons to let the perpetrators off the hook. No cover ups, whitewash and lutong makaw. We urge all sectors to be vigilant and be on the lookout.

If the revelation proves to be true, those responsible should be placed behind bars and be given maximum punishment. This is the testing point on the sincerity and impartiality of the Arroyo government in its so-called quest for truth and justice.

Just recently, a twist of the event was reported based on a news report. It is now the investigator being castigated by DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales for being transparent to the Filipino people.

Is this another way by the higher ups to gag out prosecutors because they now have positive leads on who the perpetrators are? This is a delicate issue wherein the trust of the Filipino people on the government is at stake.
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The Nevada Square along Loakan Road is still one of the hot nightspots in Baguio, what with another shooting incident inside the compound wherein a youngster was seriously injured and based from a report, the suspect, a certain Bambico is still at large.

How come the suspect was able to escape is unbelievable considering there were security guards deployed at the area. Or is the suspect known to them the guards that they just stood in a corner and let the suspect run away? You see, those involved were youngsters and I bet, this incident is another slap on the face of authorities.

I’ve been an open critic of these violent incidents involving young gangs or fraternities who are costumers at the adjoining bar joints inside Nevada Square. I believe establishments there have an existing bar association and I can’t help but wonder why they can’t control or even regulate the no minors policy in their premises.

How many times have I received numerous complaints from the residents living nearby? I even tried to bring this matter to the authorities but it seems to me they are just good in pakitang gilas or ningas kugon. The question: Is the Nevada Square really that malakas and untouchable? Well, the answer lies now on our new set of leaders at the Baguio City Hall. Can they solve the problem of peace and order at Nevada Square or not? Ano sa palagay ninyo Mayor Peter Rey Bautista, Councilor Galo Weygan at siempre city police chief Moises Guevarra. Kumilos naman kayo!

What a disgust that some city policemen don’t understand their sworn duties as peace officers. An example is a policeman at Police Station 7 detailed at the Compac Headquarters atop Session Road.

This policeman in response to a complaint from the Hotel-Inn along the Back Street at Upper Mabini went and approached the manager of a videoke bar along Upper Mabini and in an ungentlemanly manner, scolded the latter for playing loud music.

True, there was a valid complaint and reason for this policeman to castigate the manager, but what is irritating is what this policeman said that he was being disturbed. Why? It is his duty to serve the taxpaying public where his salary comes from. Besides he is on duty and should not be sleeping during working hours.

No wonder some violent incidents at the late hours in the evening remain unsolved because of the attitude of some law enforcers. Most often, these peace officers are either sleeping while on duty or they are somewhere else not in their areas of responsibility.

I remember my good friend retired Police Colonel Bobby Ortega when he was still the chief of police in Baguio. The entire city police force was well disciplined because of his good leadership. This brought the crime rate in the city to almost zero.

Yes sir, Ortega also more popularly known as Bungo made strict order to his men to be vigilant 24 hours and he personally supervised, monitored and enforced sanctions on any of his erring men caught in the act. I don’t know if the present city police chief is doing the same like what Bobby Ortega did.

If he does, I don’t find any reason why our policemen would be doing unprofessional conduct like this policeman at BCPO Station 7. After all, the taxpaying public deserves to be served by active and vigilant police officers. “Right chief Guevarra?”

I would like to congratulate the anti vice coordinating task force in Baguio headed by Councilor Weygan for their successful operation and confiscation of several video carera machines or kulalong somewhere at Irisan Barangay. These illegal machines are now in the custody of city authorities. I hope the AVCTF will keep on doing their good work.

On the contrary, I would like to call the attention of Irisan punong barangay Catalan and his barangay officials for being inutile on these illegal video machines. I am not saying that they should confiscate these machines or arrest the owner operators, but at least they should be vigilant enough and have the will to report this to the proper authorities. Am I right your honors? Hoy gising!
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Also, with due respect to Councilor Galo Weygan who chairs the AVCTF, is it true that the good councilor is abusing his mandated authority as claimed by the owner of a Bingorama den along Kayang Hilltop?

According to the owner-operator, his business is operating legally complete with barangay clearance and business permit which will expire on July 31. The business permit he is using is under the name of a certain Allan Perez who executed a special power of attorney in favor of the bingo establishment at Hilltop.

However, he was surprised that Mr. Weygan recommended closure of his establishment. Not contented, the councilor reportedly even confiscated items used in his business operation, and just recently without any notice or receipt of custody, got the video machines kept in one of the rooms. Some of these machines, the owner claimed, were not functioning and some were for the personal use of his children.

It is not clear to me however if the operator would file charges against the AVCTF chairperson and if the claims of the operator of this bingo den were true. The good councilor has a lot of explaining to do. Whatever the AVCTF would undertake, I hope their actions would be an advantage to the City of Baguio.