Arrest the murderers of Atty. Ungab

There seems to be a great deal of difference in the minds of our leaders in treating crimes and criminals. But, even if I assume that the best interest of the citizenry predicates our leaders’ actions, still the peculiar way they make their moves is beyond my understanding. Their reasons (or maybe their standards) swing from one unpredictable spectrum to another and, along the way, I tend to lose my grasp. Woe to me!

Why for example, did one city mayor dangle a cash reward for policemen who could kill alleged pushers of illegal drugs? I could not comprehend why such a killing would be promoted. It would not be in sync with due process to leave unto the hands of the cops the determination of who was guilty or innocent—a role that is solely assigned to judges. By offering reward money, the mayor granted the police the power to decide who should live or die! So, along this line, did the policeman-killers of Mayors Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte and Parohinog of Ozamiz get the reward?

A separate incident figured our government leaders’ offering another reward for anybody who could lead to the arrest, dead or alive, of a suspected criminal named Jessie Largo. If only to show how absurd the order was, may I ask how can a dead person be ever arrested? Anyway, what apparent crime did he commit to become an object of a bounty? The P200,000 offered by a mayor and another huge sum given by another mayor, were irresistible motivations for everybody to look for Largo.

Surely, I do not favor such a short cut. Killing a person can never be justified if propped up by the monetary reward in exchange of a man’s life. However you look at it, it is mercenary. When private citizens and police officers exert more effort to search for a person wanted by law, because of the bounty, the intention deviates from what is noble.

Even as I want to maintain such principle, I was waiting for high officials to come forward and announce a reward for the arrest (dead or alive?) of the killers of Atty. Ungab. To my distraught, none came. Our leaders—quick to entice a massive manhunt by putting up a reward—kept a low profile. What could have held their punches, so to speak? The killing of a fellow lawyer and a distinguished public servant must have incensed everyone, especially high government leaders. I could not compare Jessie Largo and Atty. Ungab. Surely, the lawyer occupied a niche in our society that should admittedly be more important than that of a suspected criminal in Largo.

I can imagine that our leaders must have re-evaluated their position vis-a-vis putting up rewards. It would please me if they do not push our policemen to solve crimes, just for the bounty. And here is where our authorities must do more to apprehend the killers of Atty. Ungab. There is a breakdown in the peace and order condition of our country, made graver by an assault against a respected vice-mayor and a member of the Philippine Bar. The urgency to solve this murder is the order of the day.