Securing our public officials

A few days after the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, police are making a lot of headway in the case. They have already arrested several suspects and have allegedly even identified the mastermind behind the crime.

But as they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Had the governor been better secured he would not have been murdered in broad daylight along with several others after armed gunmen shot hm.

Until now we still can't get over the brazenness with which this crime was carried out; armed men targeted and took out no less than the highest local official in that area.

Securing our public officials has always a challenge. The fact remains that we just don't have enough warm bodies in the police force to assign as security detail of some politicians, especially in those designated as hotly-contested areas, forcing many of them to make do on their own; whether this is to arm themselves or build up their own private armies.

Which in turn leads to trouble because once a politician sees a potential rival arming up then he would usually follow suit, leading to an “arms race” of sorts and escalating tension between rival political camps.

There is another fallout in such a scenario; people won't be able to tell who is who anymore. Anyone with a gun or a uniform can be mistaken for lawful officers. Which kind of explains why Degamo's killers were readily let in into his residence.

Until and unless our government officials are secured, there will always be that nagging feeling that everyone else won't be safe. Especially those who cannot afford to arm themselves or surround themselves with guards.

And because some families or groups here see public office as personal or familial property, it may only be a matter of time before the next high-profile assassination happens.