LOCAL officials have warned the public of the proliferation of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes in this part of the Davao Region, if not of the whole of Mindanao.
Why has, in the first place, there is a sudden increase in smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes? What are our law enforcers doing that smugglers and counterfeiters are getting bolder and bolder to the point that they seem to have enough freedom to move their illegal merchandise?
Yes, for the past months we have monitored elements of the Philippine Coast Guard having intercepted shipments of smuggled cigarettes and policemen confiscating counterfeits.
While these are clear indicators of the successes of certain law enforcement groups, the frequency of interceptions and confiscations only show that there are ready suppliers of the merchandise. And we cannot fault some people if they think that there may exist a connivance between some ranking law enforcers and big-time smugglers and suppliers of counterfeit cigarettes in the city.
We do not wish to assume that the cooperation between the local government officials and the law enforcement groups, more specifically the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), is still tinted with the political enmity now existing between the national administration and the Davao City-based Duterte-led (former President Rody and her daughter VP Sara) opposition.
The police is the primary group that had been blamed in the controversial arrest of close Duterte ally Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, and the former President’s arrest and hauling to the Netherlands, supposedly in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Yes, one very difficult thing to do is to restore trust to any person or even organization once it is lost due to very valid reasons.
As a consequence, certain aspects in governance and delivery of government services have to suffer. And there are scheming people or groups that are quick to take advantage of the situation. Illegal drug merchants, smugglers, and counterfeiters are among them.
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Some sectors are claiming that there are also “ghost projects” being undertaken by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Of course, the AFP is quick to deny the allegations. And we are inclined to believe the Armed Forces. Why, because its budget is hardly enough to sustain its operation and for the payment of soldiers’ pay. Besides, if there are big projects like purchase of war planes, naval boats, or war tanks and artillery, usually these are on a government-to-government transaction.
These transactions are normally rigidly scrutinized by the supplier government even if the product or products are manufactured by private industries in that country.
And one allegation of this kind supposedly entered into by the Philippines with the South Korean industry guaranteed by its government that was strongly denied by those concerned was the military’s purchase of a frigate during the previous administration.
So, what possible military projects that can be “ghosted” just to benefit some high-ranking AFP officials?
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Is the City Government of Davao sending materials and other relief assistance to the earthquake hit Davao Oriental just like what it did to the victims of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Bogo, Cebu? We share the hope of many others, especially the residents of the most badly affected municipalities of that Eastern Davao Province because not only are they fellow Davaoeños but these areas are much nearer and accessible from Davao City.
So far, it has been four days since the strong temblor struck but we have not seen a convoy of vehicles representing the city government proceeding to Davao Oriental for the purpose. The person that has visited Davao Oriental with trademark Davao City is Vice President Sara Duterte. But she was representing her office – the OVP.
Has Davao City exhausted its relief resources in its mission to Bogo, Cebu that, so far, it has not made any pronouncement of a Davao Oriental caravan to distribute assistance?
Anyhow, no matter how fast or slow the assistance be delivered to the intended beneficiaries, it would still be most welcome by the residents who are presently suffering from deprivation and lack of livable shelter.
