MANILA, Philippines - Among loggers of rain forests, there's a calling concocted at coffee shops: "Laging mayroon" and "laging wala." The first category enjoys protection from various quarters, say lawyers who are members of Congress and executive officials well-known to DENR, lately labelled as "Destroyer of Environment and Natural Resources." 'Wala' Co. The "Laging Wala" Co. are small-time cutters who load on giant trucks logs that are stopped at checkpoints for inspection leading to a brief "plea bargaining" with persons in uniform who man the barriers.
The floods, landslides, and destruction of crops costing billions all over the country were not commonplace years ago when trees growing naturally and abundantly were not subject to indiscriminate cutting. No more narra/yakal It's very hard to find or buy narra and yakal in small and big sizes nowadays for making jambs, fine tables, bookshelves, and other furniture. Most critics blame "laging mayroon" cutters for making mountaintops and hillsides bald and prone to large-scale erosion and mudslides. Power can stop "Mayroon" Co. We have all the means, power, and just grounds to stop "Laging Mayroon" Co. from cutting trees that stand proudly in defiance of rain and wind. And this power can be used anytime by the Palace and DENR. But when? When springs stop flowing Time is of the essence, to prevent massive destruction of forest reserves and protect the ecosystem and prevent further destruction of lowland basins by flood and mudslide. When mountain springs cease to flow for lack of forest cover, rivers dry up and stop supply of water for irrigation to thousands of hectares of farmland for rice, corn, vegetables, etc. The national economy suffers when government cannot, or will not, use full power to stop "Laging Mayroon" Co. dead on its tracks. Worsening crime The killer caught by the victim's camera in the act of aiming his pistol can be called an extremely rare chance happening. It was like beating the lotto odds of one to 25 M plus. It also delivers a clear message: Open and clear defiance of our law enforcers' capacity for solving or discouraging crimes. But the louder message is this - even in his own home and in front of his family, law enforcers cannot protect one against plain treachery.
Leads from cellphone If the killer had not carelessly dropped his cellphone, solving the murder may take a long time. Solving the crime with leads provided by the murderer himself is another chance happening that defies odds of more than one to 10 million. With 20 liters of gasoline This week, two crimes of murder can be called grisly, terrifying, horrible, and ghastly. The killers put a bullet through the victims' heads, bought 20 liters of gasoline, and set the victims on fire for a purpose - to prevent or considerably delay identification. Shooting or stabbing is the common means of killing a victim. Burning bodies beyond recognition is more than an act of cruelty and great insult to the dead victims. Murder Mafia-style But the most horrifying of them all is the case of a pretty and young housewife who was killed, put in a drum of concrete and dropped to the bottom of Manila Bay. One of the conspirators could no longer bear his guilt and conscience forced him to squeal on the killers - from mastermind to executioners. The murder trial is now in the hands of an RTC judge. Despite solid evidence, murder trials can take years before final judgment can be rendered - after two layers of appeal. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com).
