ON JUNKED IMPEACH COMPLAINT – Civil society group: We are all to blame
Police gears for mass actions
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
11/26/2008
MANILA, Philippines — Each Filipino is partly to blame for the failed impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an official of a civil society group said on Wednesday.
“Every single Filipino citizen is partly to blame. We are all accountable for what is happening to our country,” said Enteng Romano, convenor of the Black and White Movement during the weekly Ciudad Fernandina forum.
Romano cited the lack of “pressure” Filipinos have given lawmakers to air their sentiments against the Arroyo administration.
“Kung talagang galit ka, makilahok ka [If you are angry, then say so]. Magpakita ka ng galit [Show your anger]. There is not enough people who will tell their congressmen directly their sentiments,” he said, adding that text messages addressed to television news programs or surveys are not enough to make the people’s sentiments known.
Romano also said that most Filipinos have grown “numb” to the problems here, because they have an “exit option,” which was to leave the country and work abroad.
“Namamanhid na sila sa mga katiwaliang nakikita nila [They have become numb to the corruption around them]. Outside organized groups, wala tayong naririnig [we do not hear anything] from the people. They have lost their sense of nation,” he said.
Romano said that the US financial crunch might prompt Filipinos to stay here and be concerned of the country’s welfare.
“I hope people will realize na pag wala ng [if there is no longer any] option lumabas ng bansa [to leave the country], we have no choice but to make this country a better place,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is gearing for possible protest actions after the dismissal of the impeachment complaint by lawmakers.
Apart from reactivating Operation Manila Shield, NCRPO chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil also said that they would be closely monitoring key rally areas and strictly enforce the “no permit no rally” policy.
But Bataoil added that police would exercise “maximum tolerance” when dealing with and dispersing protesters.
“We are optimistic and hopeful that this will be resolved in a peaceful manner,” Bataoil said in an interview.
Operation Manila Shield will mostly focus on anti-crime, anti-terrorism, and public safety among others, he added.