Breakdown of Law and Order

Eleven innocent people killed in the bloodiest bank robbery in Philippine history. Caught with their pants down, PNP Chief General Avelino Razon Jr. ordered the formation of a police crack team to hunt the perpetuators down. In one fell swoop, the team went to Tanauan Batangas, killing four men believed to be members of the dreaded robbery gang. Good. Swift justice?

Well, the head of the Task Force just told media that they're not entirely certain if those four killed in Batangas were indeed, members of the gang. Whatta??So, Mr. General sir, you killed four men just to show that you're men are "on top of the situation"? That all these corpses are just for show? All for photops sir?

Our cops are like those wild cowboys from days past, shooting even the innocents, in blind fashion, just to show how tough they are.

So, Mr General sir, the body count is now 15 innocents killed. Are we expecting more?

It seems that we are. Last night, four men believed to be members of the New People's Army torched five buses of Victory Liner in Cubao, Quezon City Philippines. Police denied that these men were NPA's. It took the AFP to really admit that the perpetuators were NPA rebels out to get a fast buck from the Victory Liner owner.

A few days ago, two cops who responded to a robbery were brutally gunned down by criminal elements in Manila. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim and Manila Police District Director Rosales ordered a massive hunt. Rosales said that their mandate is get the cop killers--dead or alive.

Are we expecting corpses again to show up in Pasig river? Quite possibly, yes. Expect a crackdown in Tondo and in some depressed areas in Manila just to show the people that our cops are "on top of the situation."

In such an economic crisis like these, expect a breakdown of law and order. People nowadays are desperate. Worst, most of the people are seething in silent anger, waiting just for the right time to express their angsts against Arroyo. Is the state ready for a showdown with the people? I am noticing a growing undercurrent of dissent just waiting for the right and proper time to explode.