Jolo blasts through political eyes

Nora Soriño . 

ILIGAN City — What happened at Jolo Sunday morning brings back sad memories of a deadly blast here, also at  a cathedral, in 1992.

It was an easter morning then and the St. Michael cathedral was filled with the Catholic faithful and yes, even some unfaithful. That was in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus.

The grenade blast killed six people and injured scores.

This was perpetrated by some wayward men. There was no fear of the Isis then. It was rumored then to be a reprisal from some men from the MIGs (Military Intelligence Group) who were said to have manhandled some “bad guys.” I don’t know if the perpetrators were caught then.

So like the rest of the country, this city is on full alert now following the twin blasts in Jolo.

City police director Senior Supt. Rene Solidarios  then enjoined the people here to be very vigilant. They must report unattended packages even as people who look “suspicious” should be monitored too. 

The police have their checkpoints, even as the Commission on Elections have theirs, too. Churches, malls, schools and other places where there are plenty of people are being watched thoroughly, Solidarios said.

Asked about the SCAA or the Special Cafgu  Action Auxiliary, the police chief said they are  separate. They are with the side of the Philippine Army.

To recall, the SCAA has been viewed with suspicion by some sectors here,  specially by the local opposition. They see it as a “private army” of city mayor Celso Regencia. It is a 120-person funded by the city, to the tune of P10,000 allowance a man, complete with uniforms, and firearms. Complete too with the agreement of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, who are the mayor’s allies.

It could be “very helpful” for the mayor’s reelection, the detractors say. Hinting thereby that the citizenry could be “terrorized” into voting for the mayor and his ticket. This kind of thinking then reached the Department of National Defense, the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections as the opposition really went through the motions of petitioning such government offices.

This then naturally dismays the mayor especially that it is given another meaning like “Si Celso Among Amo.” It gets no better with another meaning: “Si Celso Amaw-Amaw.” He says Lorenzana and Abayalde know about this and they approved of this.

With the Jolo blasts,  Regencia underscores the point that the SCAA is good for the city. He wants the city folks to sleep well at night, he says.

But the opposition is saying that the Jolo blast is being made as a reason to reinforce the need for that SCAA. So that the mayor and his allies are in a position “to withdraw the funds.”

So dear readers, what do you think? Is it good or bad for the city?

I asked Lester, a friend, the question and before he answered, he said he sees them from time to time — meaning the SCAA men roaming about the city complete with army uniforms many of them sporting long hair.  Their uniform though differs from the Army as the letters SCAA is emblazoned on them. They carry long firearms. I took it as a disapproval of the SCAA. But when I pressed again for an answer, he said: “I don’t know. And  for that question too the answer depends upon whom you’re asking.”

It was a play safe answer.