On Aug. 5, 2011, at about 11 in the morning, I was biding my time buying pink ribbons for my granddaughter, when the news of a “shooting of a lawyer” right in his law office broke out.
It is not only because I knew the lawyer as an upright, law abiding citizen, with a pleasant persona, that I am moved to make a personal plea for the upgrading of our security situation. This should be of great concern of our Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbaria, a noted businessman and civic leader, fellow Rotarian. I hold in very high regard Col. Rey Lyndon Lawas, who has a track record of being an “Action Man”. We are not short of good leaders, but, they should exert more efforts to improve the peace and order situation.
One of my law colleagues in Manila, sent a text message that this is the second time, a lawyer was similarly attacked in our province. When people start to shoot lawyers, it is an indicator of the high index of criminality and violence. The rule of law is undermined and anarchy lurks, like it is a jungle out there. No amount of tourism promotion can reverse the bad publicity and implications of these shootings.
Everyone is asking: “What is happening to our city?” Why is it that “guns for hire” abound, like it is about to be registered as a cottage industry? Is the situation really hopeless that gunmen for hire are now shooting people, in our streets, with impunity? Is there really a solution to all this targeted shootings? Why is there no concerted, intensified, and swift action from our leadership? Do we have to wait until the next victim is shot? Please, enough of this killings, we have to put the perpetrators before the bar of justice. It is high time that our authorities show these criminals that they are not above the law, and they will pay for their crimes. Is there a CRIMEWATCH body formed to study and come up with solutions to the problem?
For the breakdown of law and order have a chilling implication for our community life. Our city thrives as a University Town. It has a high percentage of young population, and if this assassinations are not solved, it will diminish our community life, and our ambiance, as a City of Gentle People.
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW!
The leadership of our City should spearhead a program to deter, prevent, prosecute and punish criminals who are operating in our city. Calling our City officials, please involve all the academic institutions, civic groups, Churches, barangay officials, in support of the police authorities. This is not only a police matter, it should concern all the residents. Let us drive away fear and gloom and bring back the way of life of the City of Gentle People. Otherwise, it might be known as the City of Violent People.