Failure of intel not rido

“To Serve and Protect” says their motto, but is the Philippine National Police proactively and pre-emptively making an effort to secure the public and not just the President or is it just another day at the office?

I struggle to raise the question knowing that the PNP does not have a crystal ball that tells them where the next crime will take place but given all their salary increases, empowerment during the Oplan Tokhang years, and all the public funds for Intelligence, one would wish that murders are not so easily dismissed and justified as rido or ethnic revenge killing and that the public could get their money’s worth in terms of police protection. The fact that the recent Ateneo shootings was all connected to an ongoing feud between two families in Lamitan, Basilan should have been enough warning to the PNP in the province and the town, that payback would be required and the daylight murder of a retired policeman might have been prevented through dialogue or law enforcement initiatives using police intelligence sources and practices. Failing to do so, we now have four dead people and a war of words on social media that will highlight the failure even longer.

The fact that DILG Secretary Ben-Hur Abalos immediately went down to Basilan is perhaps the strongest statement and confirmation of how both shooting incidents threatens to undermine the country’s reputation in terms of peace and order and how the provincial PNP group may have grossly mishandled the situation. Secretary Abalos’ visit may have nipped things at the bud but what about the over-all peace and order in the country and the low police visibility except during PBBM related events? So far, the only group under the PNP that has made their presence felt is the PNP Highway Patrol which immediately set-up checkpoints after Senator JV Ejercito and the media started complaining about unauthorized vehicles using sirens, blinkers as well as unauthorized backup motorcycle security escorts. Law enforcement has to be pre-emptive and not reactive, based on intelligence and not excused by recounting historical blood feuds or rido, which a Basilan lawmaker asserted had no basis in fact.

I don’t know how Secretary Abalos will call the attention of the PNP leadership but I would suggest that before they filter recommendations for promotions for the PNP, Malacañang should require a list for demotion of officers whose areas of responsibility have shown lackluster or deteriorating state of peace and order and incidents related to drugs. When all that is done, President BBM should seriously study who are the most qualified professionals to lead the PNP under his term and delete those who have hired or conspire with PR and media for publicity purposes. We need police presence, not public relations.

They call it overlanding, glamping, camper van mobility, etc. Yes, there has been a growing community of families and individuals that have gotten into going to the outdoors, the roads and places less traveled. They still prefer to go to seaside places, cool upland points or riversides where only the brave and 4x4-abled can go. There they set up camp in groups of two to eight vehicles and families and spend weekends to commune with nature and connect with their community.

I’ve never done 4x4 overlanding nor have I done any glamping. I did sleep in a “PUP” (Pop Up Tent) tent for six months on an island while building “Club Paradise,” as well as another six months or so in an actual nipa hut by the river and on another island while building a “Bed & Breakfast” and a primitive ice plant. But being a security conscious person, I always had a team of local workers around me as well as dogs and implements for personal protection. By God’s grace, we’ve never had cause for concern. It also helped that I practiced the motto: “if you look after people’s well-being, they’ll look out for you.”

Unfortunately, there are times when being out there in nature can also turn people into prey. About two weeks ago, a very young couple went camping somewhere in Boac, Marinduque and were attacked by someone in the middle of the night. The assailant reportedly stabbed the boyfriend to death and then raped the young girl. The incident was so disturbing for many that Sen. Raffy Tulfo reportedly offered a reward for the eventual arrest of the assailant.

In the meantime, allow me to point out the fact that once again, we find a growing community of Filipinos with a need that the government and the DENR needs to start studying and working in partnership with private sector investors and customers. I know that sometime in the past, there was a government agency called Parks and Wildlife office and that there in a national authority that is in charge of the many different parks in the country. However, my impression is that most, if not all, of these parks remains as government land that is full of natural features but has very little to nothing in terms of accessibility, convenience and security for visitors who would like to visit or stay in them.

People in Metro Manila have complained that so many parks have been closed or sold by local governments. For instance, the Dolomite Beach cost hundreds of millions but operates on “Close – Open and Close – Open” basis. Some barangays have parks that are not even open to the public but by appointment!

There is both the need and an opportunity for the DENR and the national government to transform “parks on paper” into real parks and camping grounds just like the many parks and camping grounds that generate income and public awareness in the US, Japan, South Korea, Canada and the EU. If PBBM wants to connect with many Filipinos, develop and open up public parks that already exists and make them profitable and beneficial!