Res Gestae
Francisco B. Lindero, Jr.

Peaceful but not safe

Western Visayas is still considered as one of the most peaceful regions in the country. Well, it is. We have less political fanatics, relatively light traffic, considerate critics and plenty of warm and gentle people. We are still religious, if volume of churchgoers does manifest religiosity. But, are our peaceful islands really safe haven to live, work, invest and do business?

If taken literally, silent waters run deep, non-swimmers must not venture to plunge in it. I am a non-swimmer myself; and, not too late did I realize that quiet waters were more dangerous than the rushing ones. It was because I equated peace to being safe. In ordinary parlance they have similar connotations though. But, I am not saying that this article ventures into the extraordinary dimensions of both words. I can give you an assurance that nothing is unusual in my definitions here. What am I only trying to drive out is the hairline distinction that contradistinguishes peace from being safe. Because a peaceful place does not guarantee that it is really a safe place. I will tell you why.

Foremost, my apology if my lines sound a bit academic this time. I never wanted to be boring. But, if resorting to details would make myself better understood, I don't find such effort a waste of time.

Now, should we attribute peace to Western Visayas, we better think twice. I don't intend to suggest that we mistakenly attach the adjective. As I mentioned, this region is peaceful. But, being safe is a different thing.

Ooops, please don't over react. I won't be driving tourists away. There are only few places in this archipelago where they can be more protected as in here. However, aside from the tourists (especially foreign nationals), this piece is intended to local populace. We have to know our surroundings first so that we cannot only tell our visitors that we have colorful festivals, beautiful churches, paradisiacal beaches, etc. but also assure them that our streets are safe, that they are secured in their cottages, etc.

Oftentimes, simply because we thought our region is peaceful, we are also confident that we are safe. We are, in fact, over confident. This realization prompted me to delve on this topic, hoping that I can move some, if not all, of you to a concerted action. Well, I don't really think that you are indifferent as regards to the fact that we are not yet safe. To substantiate my premise, let me give you some facts relative to one of the many predicaments we have – the robbery/hold-up incidents.

Robbery/hold-up is the fastest way to earn money. With the increasing percentage of our unemployed populace, everyone can't just find other leeway to survive. “Kapit sa patalim” has become a driving force that turns impoverished individuals into fearless bandits.

For the record, in the first semester of CY 2005, Western Visayas averages 20 robbery/hold-up incidents a month. Stated otherwise, there are at least 54 individuals who are making the said crime their profession or a mere “pangtawid gutom”. And, we can expect a horrifying increase in this number as the national economy plunges beneath the political and social catastrophe buffeting the country today.

We can also think of other reasons for individuals to risk their precious lives only to snatch other people's money. But whether it is a conscious effort on their part or caused only by unavoidable circumstances, the perpetrators of this crime must be stopped.

The police force in the region is taking every step to solve the problem. But, without the support of the community, especially those who are already victims, we cannot expect much from the efforts of our police to stop the said crime.

Every individual, a group, or an organization has vital role in every police endeavor on crime prevention. It's disheartening, however, that at times victims themselves refused to file a case against their suspects.

I even knew an organization that prohibits its employees to report any hold-up incidents even if they themselves are the victims. In fact, this organization is seemingly willing to sacrifice its employees' lives by perpetuating its unsafe business operations.

But, I hope, all of us will realize that if we want to live, work, invest and do business peacefully safe in this region, our utmost cooperation to the police force is indispensably significant.

(The writer may be reached thru rogatepnp@yahoo.com or 09193161190.)