Related Articles...
Featured Video
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
We have 3,847 guests online
| Points to consider |
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 29 July 2010 19:43 |
 (Conclusion) The prohibition of the usage of the wang wangs, sirens, blinkers… came too drastically that it did not give the public sufficient time to properly react to the announcement of the order. Everybody was taken by surprise. In less than 12 hours, the policemen were crawling all over the streets to apprehend vehicles with said gadgets like gladiators and conquerors. Umaasta pa sa television to show that they are doing a great job when in truth and in fact, the authorities were the ones to blame for the proliferation of those gadgets nationwide for not doing anything all these years. Nobody lifted a finger to apprehend the violators, for some reason or another. I, for one, thought that the violation is in the usage of the gadgets with no purpose at all but for sheer conceit; that the attachment of said gadgets for emergency was not considered a violation. I must admit that I am guilty of having installed wang wangs on three vehicles I often use. But I also must confess that I never used them on the streets I traveled on. I had them installed with the thing in mind that in case of emergency while traveling out of town or in case of hold-up, I’d switch them on considering that more often than not, we have no one to turn to in moments of great danger in this country of thieves and criminals. These gadgets serve more for self-defense more than anything else – for ordinary citizens. It gives some sort of security on the road, for as long as they are not abused. In a place where criminality of all kind abounds, to protect oneself is not only a fancy but a reality. If only we live in a safer place, these gadgets would have never been thought of. I liken this situation to those who spouse a gunless society. It is a state of nirvana we are far from achieving, considering that there are more loose firearms in the hands of criminals than there are duly licensed firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens. Much as I would like to go along with the idea of a gunless society, we are simply far from reaching that state. Ang dami ng na-hold-up at napatay ng walang kalaban-laban. A perfect example is the murder just recently of the younger brother of our Central Bank governor, who was killed in Pampanga with two other companions. It comes to mind that the tragedy happened during and after the election period when the Comelec’s prohibition from carrying firearms was in effect. Had those three businessmen had on them licensed firearms to protect themselves, may laban sana sila sa mga nag-abduct at pumatay sa kanila. I can almost picture how the murderers did what they did to them with ease and not much ado. The three victims must have followed the killers like sheeps. Many similar situations, for sure, have transpired but remain unreported because they are mostly “unknown persons anyway.” The high-profile ones are the ones who hit the news and are covered by media. Other than them, the families left behind will just have to suffer in silence and bear the pains alone. Going back to the wang wangs, sirens, and blinkers: The shops along Banaue and elsewhere should have been warned against selling gadgets to customers not allowed by law to use them. What I found totally unfair was the very short notice given, the apprehension that immediately followed, and the vandalizing of the gadgets. Couldn’t the policemen have been instructed to at least return them to the owners who paid hard-earned money for them, not to use them again but for safe-keeping? How many of the “confiscated” wang wangs, sirens, and blinkers would now find themselves in the market sold by those who confiscated them? Maski papaano, may scrap value pa rin ‘yan pag tinunaw. Returning them to the owners would not be such a bad idea for the owners might find another use for them, maybe, in securing their homes, for example. Leave it to the Filipinos of finding a way for other uses. Times are hard. Discipline must be coupled with a little understanding and compassion. As I wrote in my column last July 13, fog lights must not be banned for there are places in the country such as Baguio and Tagaytay where fog lights are a necessity in order to avoid road accidents on a foggy day or night as they are allowed in foggy London town. I can understand President Noy Aquino’s concerns about wang wangs, sirens and blinkers. There were those who truly abused them to show off. But the President must reconsider – as the President. For as long as no rambunctious noise is caused on the road, it would be alright. Why not? After all, it’s for his safety. The presidential car need not use the wang wang nor the sirens, but only the blinkers while the motorcycle escorts should be able to make “pitik, pitik lang” without being scandalous about it. That would be acceptable enough. Kasi ‘yong iba naman, talagang eskandaloso na. Tama lang mapigilan na sila. For comments e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
Most Popular Articles
- Viral infection caused of Baby James hospitalization ( 3,289 views )
- Lovi mum on recent HK trip ( 2,849 views )
- Wilma and Tuesday's dispute finally ends ( 1,938 views )
- P2M surgery to recover Nora’s voice ( 1,892 views )
- Gerald: Kim won’t try suicide ( 1,837 views )