Look out for
scare tacticians

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The report that the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office has topped the campaign for the recovery of loose firearms in the Region is very reassuring, but somehow also raises the possibility that there could be more of those illegal guns still unaccounted for.

The campaign had focused on firearms in the possession of persons who either have no permits to own them, or who have been negligent in renewing such permits, if indeed, they have any. What is alarming is that the Police Regional Office has issued figures estimating that there are still about 33,000 of such firearms and we can not tell what purposes they would be put to by the holders, even those who supposedly have licenses for them.

Especially these days when the election fever is at its peak, it is more than ever important that such firearms are monitored and controlled. Bacolod City and Negros Occidental have long held a reputation for heated elections, but our people are still civilized enough to know that the so-called guns-goons-and-gold are not the means to attain a political position. It is therefore a great pity that, lately, some newcomers to the scene, believing that what they are used to in their previous political experiences also obtain here, have tried to use the scare tactic here, too.

Our police and other law enforcers, however, must not belittle the threats from such people. We are happy to note that, in this, they have been concentrating so well that they even arrested a fellow member recently after a tip that he possesses such firepower.

While we laud them for their commitment, we also urge our fellow citizens to be always alert and not hesitate to report any information they may have about those who possess such dangerous and illegal items. In that way, we can help make, not only the coming election peaceful, safe, and clean, but also remove from our community characters whose presence could disrupt the peaceful and friendly province and city ours have always been.*