Days after the incidences of suicides and killings at malls in Luzon, the Police Regional Office 12 directed by Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele had devised and established police assistance centers within shopping malls and department stores. This action aims to deter and prevent the occurrence of crimes and suicides within the mall's area. But what the police failed to disclose to the public is that policemen do not come along with these police assistance centers. (In "toy" terms, Batteries not included. Each part sold separately.)
I admit, the moment these centers were established, I have seen men in uniform doing their respective tasks and responsibilities. But, these only lasted for a week or so and then they went missing. Is this just another flash in the pan?
This isn't new to all. Plans and projects are only good for a short span of time and poof! (It became koko crunch!) I don't know why people still couldn't realize the importance of prevention. We know for a fact that these police assistance centers were brought up mainly because of crimes and accidents in malls are gravely increasing. Seriously, must we wait that these unfortunate events happen before we act?
Situations involving late and somehow useless actions are always there. Just like the existence of many checkpoints in national highways a day after bombs explode. If you're a type of person who does not care at all with news and current affairs, you'd easily know if another town or place has been bombed. How? In every block possible, there are checkpoints. Military and police personnel man the streets, inspecting every vehicle that pass, every cargo inside, every person inside, and assessing the possibility of an attack. So impressive but these are all part of their undoing. They are doing their best to cover up for their own asses, to cover up for their failure to provide safety, to cover up for their failure to adhere to there motto: "To Serve and Protect." And again, how long do these cover ups last? I'll give it 3 to 5 days and they'd become koko crunch too but I'm sure they'd pop out like mushrooms again after another bomb.
When you enter an establishment, have you noticed how the guards check and inspect you? Just a slight tap and touch at your hips, and then they conclude you are not a threat to others. How impressive is that? They even have built in metal detectors in their hands. You reach for your bag to unzip and open it but they just grasp your bag, lift it a few inches, then you are good to go. But when armed and unarmed persons made a scene inside, the guards suddenly lose their psychic and metal detecting ability. Vigorous inspection will be done, from your legs, to your hat. Again, I'll give it a few days before their psychic abilities come out again in the open.
Going back to the police assistance centers, Mantele said that these may provide immediate assistance to security-related needs. These centers are supposed to be manned by two to four uniformed policemen. Now, look closely at the pictures. Is it just me or you couldn't see a single man posting? How would it be immediate if no one's running the center? Seems to me that if you need assistance, go to the assistance centers, and dial the number posted (if it would be answered, then you wait.)
It's a fact that they have shortcomings but so do us. Remember the times that you murmured because it takes too long before you could pass a checkpoint because of a strict inspection? How about the time that you scolded a security guard because he thoroughly inspects your things and you? Add the time when you thought that these preventive measures so to speak added an extra burden to you?
In order for these measures to be most effective, people must also embrace these measures. One of the reasons why they don't last that long or they don't last at all is that we people wanted it not to last due to those mentioned above. Why don't we just make these measures part of our routine and I tell you, after some time, you'd unconsciously learn to live life with these preventive activities and you'll never again have to consider them as burdens.
What I am trying to point out with this is simple. When are we going to learn? When all else fails? THINK!
(I am hoping to post new pictures soon, with the policemen in it. When would that be? Interesting.)
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