Of blinkers and sirens

The case of the mysterious sports utility vehicle that was reported to have killed a 23-year-old fresh graduate is now solved, according to the authorities. The Cebu City Police Office has tracked down the vehicle based on available footage given to them by establishments and homes. It isn't at all a success yet. It is now up to the court to prove the complaint filed against him. Their evidence showed that the individual they charged with murder was more or less in the same areas where the victim was prior to his death.

This case sparked outrage because witnesses claimed that the vehicle that hit the man had a blinker and sirens attached to it. CCTV footage obtained by the authorities also showed the same; the sound of the siren was also very distinct. Apparently, those at the scene also saw some sort of markings on the car that were attributed to a person in authority. All these claims are being looked into by the police.

Using blinkers and sirens outside of one's duty is an outright abuse of power. Only those qualified and allowed to use these special vehicle modifications have the right to use it on the streets when needed. When one has the audacity to abuse power, he is often backed by another powerful individual or the hallucination of such. It is still unclear by now what the persona of this suspect is and why he seemed to be arrogant in his manner of driving. The attitude of not stopping to help one's victim is an obvious admittance of a murder.

This incident has also shed bad light on two important institutions that are key in this case; the media and the police. As the news broke last Sunday, most netizens were demanding an update from journalists in the police beat. They were not just asking for an update but alleging that they were silent on the issue. That is an allegation that is hard to swallow. The media can never be silent on issues like these as it also seeks justice for those who were aggravated. The truth is there was really nothing to let out at that time. If the public is curious at who the suspect is, then so are the authorities who are trying to piece together a rather challenging case.

The key is to wait amidst pressure. Our Cebu City Police Office has been tried and tested in the past months under the leadership of Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog. In all fairness to their effort, they always deliver. Their form of delivery is backed by evidence, based on the merits of the circumstance available. The public’s characteristic now is to seek continuous updates to be appeased. However, that is also not part of the media’s job description. The media in Cebu knows how to strike the balance between the clamor of its audience and understanding how police operations work. At the end of the day, both institutions want to aid in seeking justice for the victim's family.