Kidnapping resurgence
– its implications

Nothing can be more devastating than the recent resurgence of kidnapping-for-ransom. No, not in the boondocks but right in Metro Manila. That could sabotage the country's tourism program.

True, such things had been happening earlier. But they were in the deep south where foreign nationals had been warned against visiting the area precisely for authorities' fear that they will be caught in the kidnap-for-ransom racket by the Abu Sayaff and some aberrant tribes.

But Metro Manila? Unimaginable although the authorities immediately come out with the statistics claiming that incidents had gone down considerably compared to last year.

But this time, the victim was a 27-year-old Aiko Moore, wife of Edmundo Moore, a 31-year-old American trader.

The victim's vehicle, driven by Benjamin Norido, was stopped by armed men and was driven off with it by her captors, who demanded an initial P15-million ransom.

Luckily, it ended with her recovered alive but her husband had to pay P6.5 million and had to include some P3.5 million worth of expensive watches.

But that was not enough,another bunch of armed men, numbering six, clad in police uniform, waylaid Vicente Cervero III, a manager of a Makati-based shipping firm in a Las Piñas subdivision.

Cervero was driving his car when the men, who were in another vehicle stopped him and leveled assault rifles and a handgun at him.

No ransom was given but the suspects reportedly fled aboard their vehicle with Cervero in tow toward Muntinlupa.

There was also the execution of three people, including one under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice. It seems that peace and order is now crashing over the shoulders of President Benigno Aquino III.

Imagine a WPP ward running rings round his protective detail. Why did they not simply recommend him taken off the program if he did not want to abide with the conditions?

Logic dictates that when somebody refuses to follow rules, he should be dropped officially from the roster of WPP wards.

It seems that Aquino has his hands full with the Scarborough Shoal row and the seeming reluctance by the US to be caught in between over the territorial dispute.

And all the Malacañang lackeys are concentrating on is the trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Kawawa naman tayong Pinoy.

***

Before I tackle local issues, I just wish to remind Fabricanians that Manoling Roxas, former National Bureau of Investigation big man, died this week in Manila. He was a personal friend and a boyhood playmate who was more of an older brother to me.

He leaves behind his widow, Susing; and a big brood of children, who are mostly in the US and Saudi Arabia.

It was unfortunate not to have linked up with him the last time he was in Bacolod for the wake of his youngest sister, Ruby.

We had not seen each other for almost 30 years although he left word that he had wanted to see me.

Anyway, I'll always remember Manoling, son of the late Leoncio and Consolacion Roxas, a true professional. He served with the NBI director Jose Lukban. But the unfortunate incident with the former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, whose handwriting he had questioned was the one that drove Manoling outside the county.

But our loss was Saudi Arabia's gain. A salute to a true Fabricanian.

***

Now, Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. has officially questioned the executive order of City Mayor Evelio Leonardia resetting the celebration of Bacolod's charter day from October to June.

In short, while the Commonwealth Act No. 326, creating the City of Bacolod was signed by President Manuel L. Quezobn on June 18, 1938, it is clear that the city could have been officially declared as such until then City Mayor Alfredo Montelibano Sr. was inaugurated as such by Quezon on October 19, 1938.

While the records show that Quezon had approved the law creating Bacolod as a charter city on June 18, it also clearly stipulates that it becomes so, only when the city mayor has named it as such.

Anyway, that is an interesting controversy. We know that Msgr. Guillermo Gaston, head of the Negros Occidental Historical Society, had already come out with his official stand on the issue. And he insists that it was only when Montelibano was appointed as city mayor that the city officially became chartered.*

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