EDITORIAL — Let us not make "hilas-hilas" about the "buangs"

Whoever was responsible for ordering the roundup of those mentally disturbed vagrants and dumping them up there in the hills must certainly be an ogre, devoid of any Christian heart, and mentally disturbed as well.

If there is any liability that attaches to this grossly inhuman act, then that liability must be exacted to the fullest, and applicable punishment meted at its severest. Nothing less can be asked.

On the other hand, let us not go overboard on this one. While those responsible for this inhumanity must certainly be punished, let us not forget that everybody in this city probably helped drive those responsible into making such a crazy decision.

Let us all cut the hypocrisy and examine our own consciences. How have we really felt or acted toward these mentally disturbed vagrants, many of whom we encounter on our streets on an almost daily basis?

What kind of compassion or act of kindness have we given them? Have we ever given them even just 25 centavos for whatever can still be bought with such a hapless amount? Chances are, most of us never did.

But we know what we do. In all likelihood, we make very wide latitude for them to pass on the sidewalks, not out of respect, but out of fear of even just faintly brushing against their filthy bodies.

Self-proclaimed champions of human rights are now raising a howl, demanding an investigation and calling for heads to roll. Pray tell what have they done to these lesser of our brethren before the controversy blew over in the media?

Sure, those responsible must be punished. But let us not be so loud and public with our breast-beating and our crocodile tears. Let us not make " hilas-hilas " about the " buangs. " If we really have to do anything, let us do it nicely and quietly, sans any fanfare.