Rage and apathy

London is currently burning. A wave of violent protests has also spread out to other cities, in what is seen as pure mindless thievery, hooliganism and anarchy. Apparently, this all started when a peaceful protest for the fatal shooting of 29-year old father of four Mark Duggan by a policeman, turned violent. The man was apparently shot in a crackdown on gun crimes by police on a black community. The circumstances are being disputed, with the usual conflicting stories from both sides. Sounds awfully similar. A peaceful protest followed the fatal shooting, but it was the right ground for someone, or some group, to start a spark that would once again set the famous city on flames. But as the riots spread and have persisted for the past days, it is becoming apparent that it is no longer about the shooting of Duggan, but pure anarchy! People, mainly the youth, were torching cars, stores and even homes. Rampant looting then ensued, causing total chaos in this supposedly developed and civilized city. Some say it is race motivated, some say it is the boiling over of a long simmering hatred towards authority, while others say it is just an opportunity to steal. And to think this very city will be hosting next year’s Summer Olympics!

All this, supposedly, from the questionable shooting of a civilian by a policeman. Can you imagine if we were like Londoners, or even British? We have a similar case right now. Mikael Troy Rasay, an eighteen year old Fil-Norwegian who was here on vacation to visit an ailing grandfather, was shot at the back three times by an off-duty Manila’s Finest policeman. The suspect is now in hiding, while the body of Rasay has already been flown back to Norway. This would have outraged the British, or Londoners at least, to go on a peaceful protest. But then, we have a very large class of underprivileged citizens, who just might have the idea to turn a peaceful protest into chaos, much like London. Can you picture Trinoma, Gateway, Mega Mall, Mall of Asia, and communities like Corinthian Gardens, Forbes, Dasmariñas, Salcedo and the like, ablaze and being looted? Can you imagine the deaths that would pile up because of this. Remember, this is a gun-crazy country where so many own guns, unlike in the UK.

This both good and bad. Good in the sense that we are not British, particularly the hooligans and anarchists, who can start riots and sustain them. Bad in the sense that we are not British, particularly the law-abiding ones, who are outraged by the senseless killing of a civilian by a police officer and let the authorities know about it. At least the police officer did not go into hiding! There was very little reaction from the public towards the killing of Rasay. Probably because we have gotten so used to hearing about policemen killing civilians that it is no longer news. Coupled with the fact that he was a balikbayan generated even more apathy. It had to take the family to put up a one hundred thousand peso reward for the arrest of the cop. If this happened in Britain, Metro Manila may be up in flames and covered in blood. I really wonder…

It has been said that it takes a lot to enrage the Filipino. Like twenty years living under a dictator who practically milked the country dry. But even that did not last. Where are his children now? Back in Philippine politics. A well-loved, key figure would have to be involved before the citizens take to the streets. Then again, we’re not British. The good ones, at least.