Fort Knox, a US bullion depository, is perhaps the safest place on earth where loads of precious metals and gold reserves are being kept, and with its impenetrable 22-ton door, one can have complete peace of mind about its safety.
But we don’t need a massive barrier to enjoy a peaceful environment. What we need is merely a working police force that does its job well and curbs all forms of criminality in Metro Manila.
My wife was driving her way home at about 6 a.m. last Feb. 13, when she was bumped by a motorcycle carrying two riders on Pureza Street, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard (near Malacañang). Upon my advice she proceeded, but upon reaching UERM, the duo was joined by another tandem on a motorcycle, who bumped the right-rear portion of the car several times, and even attempted to open the door. She accelerated in full throttle, turned on the hazard lights with horn blaring continuously to catch the attention of any law enforcer, but to no avail. This harrowing ordeal lasted for quite a while and the perpetrators trailed her vigorously until she made it to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame.
The incident was immediately reported to the Highway Patrol Group-National Capital Region, Police Station 8 in Sta. Mesa, San Juan Central Police headquarters, as well as to the PNP chief; but it seems the report fell on deaf ears. Since the incident, police visibility in that stretch, especially during unholy hours, is still scant, precincts are unmanned and there are no checkpoints to secure the place. Records would show that this is not an isolated case as hostile predators have managed to carry on with their devious misdeeds.
The incident did not occur on the troubled streets of Honduras or Mexico. From the seat of government (Malacañang) to the national headquarters of the PNP in Camp Crame, with about six precincts along the way, a hapless, defenseless frightened woman, was terrorized in an urban jungle of despicable misfits. Tell me, where can one be safe?
—WILLIAM JOSEPH GUINGONA
wjguingona@gmail.com