Bullies in the Golf Course

I’ve been trying not to join the blogging bandwagon lately.  I feel that there are some issues that are blogged enough. But this is one particular issue that should and must be blogged about more. Interest should be kept alive. Justice must be served and people should not stop demanding it.

Everyone’s probably aware of what happened last December 26 at the Valley Golf. Politicians and their bodyguards ganged up on a 56-year old man and his 14-year-old son over a minor dispute in the golf course. To read the blog entry of Bambee de la Paz (witness, daughter and sister to the victims), click here.

What happened to the family was both shocking and distasteful. It has proven once again what kind of people we put in power. Politicians who don’t seem to have a decent bone in their bodies–who can drag down and kick a 56-year-old man to the ground without remorse. When I saw how big those  guys were, I almost cried out. It was pathetic really; the thought that such big, powerful men would beat up a pleading 14-year-old and a 56-year-old man over a minor dispute. They’re nothing more than bullies–bullies with bodyguards.

It’s a good thing that the story has been finally publicized by the mainstream media. The family has filed a case against these dastardly politicians and I say good luck to them! The DAR secretary went on TV last night and said that he had no intentions of resigning over the incident. Ang kapal ng mukha! He’s a public servant and common decency dictates that the most acceptable thing for him to do is to resign from his post. His sons should do the same.

I suddenly remembered. Bastos nga pala ang pamilyang ito. They have no idea what the word decency means.

To the de la Paz family, rest assured that a lot of people–people you don’t even know–are backing you up. Keep up the fight. Those big bullies deserve to be put in jail where they belong.

Creative Criminals

You have to hand it to Pinoy criminals. When push comes to shove, they can really come up with creative ways to steal.

During the weekends, I usually take the jeepney from Anonas to work since it’s faster than taking the MRT (shorter walk for me). My mom repeatedly warned me to avoid taking the jeepney since I got my new Ipod Touch (a gift from my very generous l’amour) a few days ago. Guys, follow your mothers’ advice. They know a lot better.

This is a true story–it actually happened on my way to work today (a little before 7am) in a jeepney bound for Welcome from Anonas. I hope this serves as a warning to fellow commuters out there about these guys’ modus operandi.

Despite my mom’s dire warnings, I still decided to ride the jeepney to work. I was originally sitting in the far corner near the exit of the jeepney beside this other guy when two men joined us. One of the men was limping and he asked me to move so he can sit closer to the exit then his friend squeezed in right beside him so I was forced to transfer to the other side of the jeep.  I sat beside another woman passenger. A few minutes later, two other men rode the jeepney and sat on our side beside the woman. When we were in Kamuning, one of the guys on our side of the jeep started making belching sounds as if he was about to vomit and his companion told us to transfer to the other side of the jeepney to avoid his “excretions”.  My fellow female companion and I immediately moved and I found myself sitting beside the limping man again.

A little while later, the limping guy told me that I had saliva in my hair (Yep. Kadiri di ba?). The belching guy’s companion (the same one who told us to move and who was then sitting in front of me) started pointing at my hair as well. I immediately went for a tissue and started wiping my hair and began to panic when I couldn’t seem to find it. The guy in front of me continued making gestures and the limping guy was telling me “Nasa gilid pa. Hindi sa may likod, sa taas ng konti.” To my surprise, the guy in front of me reached over, took the tissue from my hand and started wiping my hair for me! And he was wiping it really hard that my head was being forced to the left with my hair shielding my face!

Since I detest total strangers touching me (Hello! Close tayo?!?) I immediately slapped his hands away, turned around, looked down and found the limping guy’s jacket on top of my bag! Without a moment’s thought, I pried his jacket away from my bag and found it open. I looked at him suspiciously but did not say a word since there was still the possibility that I did have saliva in my hair and that his jacket just happened to fall conveniently on top of my bag. I checked my bag’s contents and didn’t find anything important missing. The limping guy and his companion went down from the jeep right after followed by the belching guy and the “helpful” guy who tried to “help” me clean up. To add insult to injury, the limping guy wasn’t limping anymore as soon as they got down from the jeep.

When I finally reached the office, I went to the CR to check if I really did have saliva on my hair but found none.I am now 100% sure that those four men knew each other and probably planned everything. I kinda regret not making a scene since all the passengers in the jeep were totally convinced that I was an unfortunate “vomit” victim (the female passenger who was sitting beside me was kind enough to offer me her small bottle of alcohol). Those men (cretins!) were really good since even I was convinced and I’m the most suspicious person I know! I can only thank my lucky stars that I was using a particularly big bag today and all my important stuff like my mobile phones and my wallet were in the bottom of my bag underneath books, my make up kit and my lunch. They didn’t even get my coin purse. It was also lucky that I clipped my Ipod to my bag instead of just dumping it inside as I normally do. My blue case logic probably saved it from being stolen. I’m using the one with the metal ring. The case was a little expensive but after this incident, I strongly recommend it!It pays to be cautious and in my case, a little OC.

Although I’d probably ride the jeep again (sorry Mom! It still is the fastest way to work) I’d probably take extra precautions. Spread the word to your friends and loved ones, especially those you know who work around the Quezon City area. I don’t know where these guys operate but it pays to be informed about these things.