Local terror

It maybe that in these parts the "terror" we face is not as dramatic and fiery as those routinely happening in Iraq and Israel. Nevertheless, said local events produce "terror" for the ordinary citizen. I will not describe the grisly incident in Iloilo wherein the father, mother and a six-year old daughter were slaughtered by a hand as yet unknown. This event rivals the Gonzales tragedy that occurred in Australia where a son was convicted of killing his mother, father and sister. Nor will I refer to the almost routine shooting of people in Dumaguete. I do not know the details. When I was a student there many years ago, if a citizen got shot, it probably would have been a big deal. Not anymore, it seems.

When I say local terror I mean that which nibbles at the edges of the minds of Bacoleños. The matters that they talk about, the stuff that commentators in media weave theories.

Firstly, I'll cite the case of the so-called "Bonnet Gang" which created a special terror because it abducted a young female right in front of Robinson which, as everyone knows is thick with people. That the Bonnet gang could do it so cleanly, so smoothly without a pip from the victim bespeaks of expertise, experience. Of course, the kidnapping proceeds to rape right inside the van which is the signature vehicle of the group.

But wait --- wasn't there a similar incident some years ago featuring the same gang, already known as the Bonnet? Whatever happened is that case --- were there arrests, cases filed, convictions? Apparently not because here they are again snatching young virgins (presumably) and enjoying the workout.

So now I understand, there's a curfew to prevent minor from roaming around at night. The Bonnet Gang may be forced to pounce on the more elderly victims. But as they say that's how the cookie crumbles.

The other case which has sown terror, at least among the GRO's of the various nite spots in the city, is the death of Irene de la Peña, a young girl of 18. As most of us knows, Irene was stabbed after being brought to a motel. She didn't die right away. All the time, in the media, the Sherlock Holmes among us, aired their theories, centering on the character of a certain Roming Kumpol, alleged agent of the mastermind. Roming however has dematerialized and whether we can see him again is an open question. Meanwhile, a new twist develops where the police has tagged the mastermind as Helen Aguadilla who had threatened Irene before because she was having an affair with Helen's husband.

There's really nothing new under the sun. Violence is as old as Cain and Abel. As one wit said, it's as American as apple-pie. Or, locally, can we say that violence is as Pinoy as bibingka? If we study history, we will find out that wars appear to be a natural condition of this planet. Even now, when we have arrived at this stage of time, violence appears endemic. Time was when blowing one's self up with explosives was almost unthinkable. Nowadays it's a no-sweat thing. Even an ordinary housewife can and will do it.

Now the situation is even more sinister. Aside from human violence, we see increasing incidents of violence of nature-earthquakes, storms, floods - you name it. Kenya is suffering from the effects of a two year drought - with cattle dropping dead, unable to find grass. People, of course, are dropping dead but we have become deadened by the horrific scenes. As if these were not enough the long expected onslaught of chicken virus has finally broken into a European country, Turkey, and killed three members of one family and another two, at the latest report.

If that's not terrifying, I wouldn't know what terror is.

* * *

As I was scribbling this column, I received a phone from May. She tells me that Mike Assignacion's memorial service by the Negros Press Club was at 6 p.m. at the Rolling Hills. I didn't know that my friend is dead. But death, a sneaky thief, snatches its victims without much funfare. I understand Mike was felled two days ago by cardiac arrest. Whatever you call it, in the end the old ticker has had it and beats its last. Mike was one of the more talented TV personalities. I'm sure he'll be missed.*

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