I was elated when I read in a local Baguio newspaper that a good friend of mine was proven not guilty of a crime he was accused of. Knowing him for a long time made me wonder how could he be accused of such a crime. He's got a simple living life, a good property to spend his life along with his wife; kids all grown up and professionals. We may not be the best of friends, but knowing him from the beginning , made me feel at home whenever I go visit him along with other friends at his simple abode along the sides of Mt. Santo Tomas. He has lived all his life in this beautiful city of pines along with a beautiful family, enjoying it's magnificence, falling in love with the magic Baguio City brings.
But on the 28th of February, 2010 he was accused of a crime, so ironic of his personality. He was arrested by armed policemen in civilian clothes on a COMELEC gun ban without a Warrant-of-Arrest. He was deprived of his constitutional rights, not even read the Miranda Rule which is a must when arresting or inviting a suspect. He was accused of robbery with coercion due to a stupid heresy. The incident was listed in the police blotter 3 times with corrections and opaqued marks. Wonder how police intelligence worked on this case, or are they not that intelligent at all? .He was humiliated, deprived of his rights, and was locked up. His children, all grown up, beautiful and intellectual, came to justify their father's innocence. He gained freedom from the cold bars upon postig bail. It took him 8 months of agonizing travels from his abode to the Justice Hall to attend hearings, of which were all useless for he was innocent in the first place. A waste of money, effort and a lot of deprived quality time for his family and business. In every pain as they say, comes a gain. And being acquitted is the best gain an accused can have. The case also uncovered a lot of conspiracies, not worth discussing as of this moment.
My friend's ordeal is not new, it has happened before and still is happenng. But with the new leadership of PNoy promising us;the citizenry; of a lesser evil of everything, its pay back time for those who had and are still suffering of injustice. It is a clear sign for the people to be awaken and not fear those who rule, for they should be servants as we are their masters.And may those who continue to commit evil in government, listen upon their higher selves for they may suffer their karma, graver than what they have done unto their fellowmen.
Crocs in offices, hoodlooms in robes, kotong cops and the rest of the pests in government, their days are numbered. People are awakening for they are hungry for change.
http://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/city.asp?mode= archives/2010/october/10-31-2010/city9.txt
