punchline

PUNCHLINE

By Gilbert R. Minano

In Sta. Fe criminals are not jailed, they just fade away

At first, my impression was, the leader people chose, reflects the kind of community they deserve. This is not always so. In the case of a lonely town in southern Tablas, the disturbing peace and order condition, contradicts the gentle and exceptionally non-combative nature ot their Mayor, Aser Vesca of Sta. Fe, Romblon. Of late, this remote and sleepy town previously inhabited by fairies and Spanish mestizas, has metamorphosed into a bastion of unsolved crimes in the province of Romblon.

Based on the reports we received from religious source, the occurrence of unreported incidents of murder and other crimes in the territorial jurisdiction of Mayor Vesca, has multipled to alarming level, but never bothered the conscience of the police, nor caused the good Mayor himself to worry.

Almost half a dozen murder cases were committed right in the heart of Sta. Fe, in less than four months. Surprisingly, most of those involved are teenagers, and maybe, students ,presumably, in the influence of prohibited drugs.

Not long ago, on March 19, 2001 in the town plaza of Barangay Poblacion, PO3 TIRSO TORNEA, was stabbed to death without provocation. TORNEA was pacifying a group of quarreling students, when a teenager, struck him from behind,causing his instant death. TORNEA in said affair, was the honored guest and was supposed to give a speech during the graduation rites of trainees for Citizen Army Training (CAT) Course. He was not able to give his speech. He instead gave his life.

As of press time, no suspect has been arrested because, accordingly, the assailant was unknown. An eyewitness to the crime however, confided the name of the assassin and told Romblon Today that the killer is not hiding. Like a hardened criminal, he just roam around the town. Perhaps, the policeman is blind and afraid to apprehend him since the person is untouchable, or the police in the area, are related in some ways to the criminal, said this nervous wrecked informer.

One month after, or April 21,2001 to be exact, JAPPET CHRISOSTOMO was also murdered. This time, allegedly due to existing "grudge" between the victim and suspect. Nevertheless, there seems to be no police report, nor any progress in the investigation conducted, if any, by the authorities. As usual, the culprit is "unknown", and of course, not arrested.

Is the apprehending of criminals, not a police matter and be delegated to civilians? If the policemen want to prove their calling, they must show proof to their superiors that in Sta. Fe, a civil society governed by laws, still exist. Further more, you should strive harder and convince the civilian populace that in this place, the outlaws do not govern you.

Unfortunately, this is not so anymore, in this municipality. You can be killed anytime of the day. The police may never help you, your family or loved ones secure justice. And if you are in this place, "the criminals are not jailed, they only fade away".

There are many other unreported crimes worth mentioning here. On May 19, 2001, the latest victim is a fellow, named ABRAHAM, 20 years old. The killer, as usual, is "unknown", if you ask the policemen. The assailant is at large and who knows, the next victim might be you.

As earlier mentioned, these series of crimes were committed in broad daylight, and by teenaged boys, between 18 to 19 yrs. old, respectively.

What is happening to the local governance of Mayor ASER VESCA. We know pretty well, the people of Sta. Fe will not re-elect a Mayor for three consecutive terms if he harbors criminals, much less, condone crime in his territory. Sta. Fe is the doorway to Boracay Island, the number one tourist destination of the local and foreign visitors in the country today.

Unless life and liberty of the people, especially of the common tao like, PO3 TIRSO TORNEA, JAPPET CRISOSTOMO, a certain ABRAHAM and unnamed victims of the underworld are secured, this COLUMNIST is constraint to warn probable investors, tourist and businessmen, including the outgoing Provincial Director, Superintendent Cecilio Calleja to avoid ever going to or passing by Sta. Fe town, for the Police Chief might suffer the fate of TONEA et al., and be one, in the long list of unsolved crimes.

The local law enforcers have proven anew they are not worth PAYING for.