Punchline
Posted on January 29, 2006 - Filed Under Punchline | Comments Off
Curious Order: Confiscate
(but don't arrest?)
By Ermin F. Garcia Jr.
There seems to be more than meets the eye in the ongoing campaign versus gambling machines in the province. PNP provincial chief Alan Purisima has reason to question the seeming wrong priorities set for his command by the provincial government particularly in connection with the campaign versus the proliferation of illegal gambling machines in the province.
He complains that majority of his command is focused on the campaign just to meet the objectives and deadline set, leaving other far more important concerns in peace and order unattended.
Except for the fact that the memo issued him by Gov. Victor Agbayani did not define the strategy in black and white, the strategy Mr. Purisima adopted was his own or wasn't it?
It puzzles me that he seems powerless to correct the imbalance in the deployment of his personnel. That seems incongruous in a police command, particularly for a provincial command.
At one point, the provincial chief hinted to local media that the campaign is really nothing but a play at a "protection racket" by some politicians.
Indeed, the harder it becomes to operate, the higher the "tong" to pay to the protecting politicians and their wards in the police force.
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Curiously, media have been receiving "feel good" reports from the field detailing the confiscation of a number of machines. But, there never was mention about arrests of operators.
If Chief Purisima's order is only for the confiscation, then there lies the problem. Or was he ordered not to arrest anyone? Pray tell, Mr. Chief.
In the absence of an arrest directive, obviously, you need a lot of personnel to give the impression that the campaign is gaining grounds, without arresting anyone.
Methinks even Provincial Administrator Atty. Virgilio Solis should clarify what the governor's directive is really all about.
Let the governor bark his order loud and clear if he wants the malaise to end and make the police truly effective and efficient.
***
A simple order to arrest and detain all known and suspected operators of the machines in Lingayen on a 24/7 basis, will instantly make these machines disappear for a long long time. Even a rumor about 3 operators unceremoniously being hauled to detention cells will spur a dash to get rid of the machines.
In fact, a picture of Mr. Purisima himself arresting these incorrigible store-owners will send one clear message and immediately half of the police forces deployed for the campaign will have nothing much to do.
But for some reasons perhaps only known to Sr. Supt. Purisima, it seems nobody wants to arrest anyone.
Hmmmm … I wonder why.
In Dagupan City, the same situation holds. Machines were confiscated but nobody has been arrested …. and Mayor Benjie Lim is not complaining.
No wonder, crime syndicates are happily running around right under the very noses of our police chiefs. Tsk-tsk.
* * *
PRISAA FEVER
Our Punch columnist Gonz Duque, he who loves playing with fire, has his hands full organizing the national PRISAA in the province.
One thing going for him is that the country is now agog over sports in the last four months. Between the unprecedented wins in the recent SEAG and Pacman Paquiao's victorious quest for revenge in the ring, sports events are now the best things that Pinoys love to enjoy in this country in spite of the scandals that Hello Garci episode spawned.
With PRISAA fever catching on, expect people singing "Pinoy Ako" and "Para sa Iyo" each time a future Olympian wins.
***
I recall watching PRISAA events in the late 50's in Lingayen, and one cannot but feel wrapped up in the emotions of winning and losing teams. It was then when I learned to feel proud to be a Pangasinense, and part of the Central Luzon region (yes, Pangasinan was then a part of Central Luzon, not Ilocos region).
In the forthcoming PRISAA, it's time to be regionalistic but not in a combative sense. Let's talk about Pangasinan putting its best foot forward by making sure that none of the visitors would be mugged or duped, held up or hurt by one of us.
It's time to unfurl the flag of Pangasinan and show to the country's best athletes why Pangasinan is still the best place to live in, in spite of unchecked corruption in our government offices.
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THE GAMES "COPS" PLAY
Politicians love playing the "good cop-bad cop" game to keep the public focused on their agenda.
In the beginning, FVR and JDV played the "good cops" and the "bad cop" was GMA.
But after Mrs. Arroyo managed to crawl out of the rut on the promise that she will go for charter change, FVR wanted to continue being the "good cop" by reminding GMA about her promise to step down in 2006. But it was not to be.
GMA's allies rallied to her side and painted her as the "good cop", and FVR the "bad cop" when the latter declared "No-El as a national disaster waiting to happen."
But JDV is one who will never be the "bad cop" so he made it known that he would rather stay a good cop by keeping mum on the issue and leave FVR as the lone "bad cop".
At the end day, the only remaining good cop will be the one who succeeded in outwitting the other.
But frankly, all these "good cop-bad cop" scenarios are nothing but smokescreens to the ongoing "cops-and-robbers" game in government today.
Need I point out who the robbers are?
***
The "cops-and-robbers" game used to be a much simpler and less complicated game to play in government. The cops were those in the frontlines leading the charge in the crusade against corruption. The robbers were easy recognizable targets.
But not anymore.
Today's "robbers" act, talk and walk like the "cops" while a good number of the "cops" think and operate better than the "robbers".
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