Who's in control here?

There's no cause for alarm; the government is in control. So why are we alarmed, and why are we wondering who's in control here? In two weeks President Estrada will convene the National Security Council. But his national security adviser is taking pains to emphasize that the NSC meeting is routine, that it has nothing to do with the recent spate of terrorist attacks from Metro Manila to Mindanao.

Yet no matter how much the administration tries to downplay these violent incidents, it can't squelch public unease over peace and order. In Mindanao, people are getting killed simply for getting on the wrong bus. Elsewhere the Islamic fundamentalist Abu Sayyaf group continues to kidnap and terrorize residents, even threatening to murder Christians who refuse to convert to Islam.

The communists, though their numbers have dwindled over the years, are on a rampage. Two main communist factions vie for public attention through terrorist attacks, not against each other but against government and civilian targets.

Apart from these acts of terrorism, the public must contend with the usual peace and order problems. In Metro Manila, there has been a spate of bank robberies, and vehicles continue to be stolen. People still don't feel safe in their homes, in the streets and even in their offices, if they work for the oil companies.

Did someone say the crooks' days are numbered? We heard that in 1992, and we heard it in 1998. We heard it a few times last year. And still we don't feel safe. We try to get our hopes up with ongoing peace negotiations with communist rebels and Muslim secessionists. But the breakaway communist group that is discussing peace with the government admitted bombing and strafing the main office of the Department of Energy this week. And the secessionist group is being accused of bombing several buses in Mindanao, leaving more than 30 people dead.

You can't enjoy the fruits of progress if you're constantly worried about losing your car, your house, your loved ones and your life. And this nation can never catch up with its neighbors in the development race unless people feel secure about their life and property. This administration is in power partly because it promised to make people safe. We're waiting for that promise to be delivered.