Res Gestae
Tupas vs Dulay: Must know in the Capitol standoff (2)
The center of the controversy has now shifted from the dismissal of Governor Tupas, et al to police actions -- the alleged "overkill"... the "mishandling" of police operations at the Capitol.
It is indeed easier for the many (who sympathize with Governor Tupas) to allege that General Dulay has gone beyond the ordinary police operations. Is sending hundreds of police personnel with complete (if not, at least proper) equipment for Crowd Dispersal Management (CDM) and Close Quarter Battle (CQB) an overkill? Oh, c'mon, what do we expect our police to have in operations where the subject/s are reportedly armed with high powered firearm/s (if not, at least protected by the armed security guards and supporters)? Patola?
Besides, with thousands of supporters blocking the entrances of the Capitol, it would have been unreasonable for General Dulay had he sent only a team of police personnel to implement the order of Secretary Puno. But, obviously, the critics preferred General Dulay to do the latter. Ridiculous!
Ignorance of Police Operational Procedure is obvious to many who lambasted our police for demonstrating tactical operations during that historic incident last January 17, 2007. Dealing with one (like Governor Tupas) who was committing a crime of sedition should not be underestimated. Tupas' camp was (and still is) willing to die just to keep the Capitol under his control. He could employ (didn't he?) all means to remain in power.
I am still wondering why many accused General Dulay for "over acting" in deploying 300 policemen to effect the order to physically ouster the dismissed Governor Tupas. Apparently, the presence of 300 policemen at the Capitol ground was superfluous. But, did anyone consider the number of Governor Tupas' supporters barricading at the Capitol during that incident? Thousands!!! Who were those people? Oh, it's another consideration!
Though it may be too late for every one to know the confiscation of Baby Armalite at the Capitol lobby, yet that fact must have justified General Dulay's decision to break in to the Capitol. If they (Tupases) managed to sneak in a long firearm inside the Capitol, could we not imagine the number of short firearms were there (maybe inside the steel cabinets, drawers or dressers)? If the possibility for Tupas' camp to be violent was remote, why kept a rifle inside the Capitol? Oh, they wanted and ready to put up a fight...a bloody one!
Now, tell me that breaking the glass door as shown on television was too much than necessary. The firefight could have transpired had any of Governor Tupas' supporters released the first shot. And, had it happened, wider exit is necessary to rescue the wounded -- may it be a police or civilian.
Another is the pointing of gun. Many condemned the police for pointing their guns to civilian. Oh c'mon, in a scenario like that one in Capitol, everyone is a suspect for having guns in their possession and can shoot in any given time. As I said, there were guns (at least one of which was confiscated in plain view)! Besides, with the crowd lurking at the Capitol during that raid, the nozzles or armalite rifles could point to anyone as the police searched the way to the enclave of the "suspected criminals" (for the crime of sedition committed by Governor Tupas, et al. is yet to be proven beyond reasonable doubt in court... not in Capitol.)
(Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com)