Deterrence

By Alex P. Vidal

“You can distill deterrence down to two factors: capability and will.” —Chris Gibson

THE only way for a sensational crime to be prevented from happening again in the future is for the authorities to exert strong efforts to solve it and bring to justice all the perpetrators—from the hired killers to the masterminds, including the so-called “middlemen” even if some of them are murdered to prevent them from “singing.”

Once they have been identified, arrested and brought behind bars, those who are emboldened to commit the same cowardly act in the future will think twice.

Even if the mode of payment for the killers is now done electronically, there are still strong chances that the masterminds will fall if the law enforcers are hell-bent to round-up the criminals with or without any bounty or whatever emolument.

If masterminds are cornered after being “fingered” by the perpetrators, the method or idea of hiring murderers through this mob style will somehow decline if not be totally abandoned, at least in the urban areas.

That’s why there is a need for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to solve the celebrated murder of the well-adored broadcast journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa even if there were obvious efforts to stonewall the investigation with the sudden “death” (sometimes it’s a farce because the “dead” are not actually the real persons) of key persons of interest in the case.

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If the masterminds will not be traced, this will motivate the enemies of the press and other criminals to perpetrate the same crime in the future, especially if they are offended by crusading media practitioners.

The spate of extra-judicial killings involving suspected criminals, peasants, human rights lawyers and red-tagged activists; and the executions of prominent media personalities in the Philippines continued unabated because in the past, no mastermind has been paraded in public through the mandatory mugshot in the police station.

No criminal mastermind has served a jail term.

All those who fell, so far, were the “small fries” or those who don’t really have the real intention to kill but were only paid to do the hit.

This is where the culture of impunity prevails. This is where lex taliones or the law of the jungle prospers. When no one is punished it’s become a “free-for-all” and come-let’s-do-it-more binge for these criminal elements.

Condemnation from politicians and media organizations will not send fears in the hearts of these criminal elements. Denunciation from sectors affected by the criminal act won’t bring back the life of the victims or the murdered media crusaders.

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Writing from Sardinia, Italy where the world junior chess tilt is now being held, US master Marlon Bernardino recently sent a report to this writer that Filipino Jose Efren Bagamasbad has bagged the 65-and-over title in Auckland, New Zealand Asian Seniors.

Bernardino said the win earned Bagamasbad Grandmaster Norms and an outright International Master title at the conclusion of the 2022 Asian Seniors Championships was held from October 15 to 21 at the Auckland Rose Park Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand.

Still an active tournament player at 66, Bagamasbad emerged unscathed with 6 wins and 3 draws for 7.5 points that gave the top player of PCAP’s Laguna Heroes the 65-and-over division crown plus the coveted gold medal.

“I’m very happy to win again, especially in an international tournament like this Asian Seniors with One Grandmaster norms and an outright International Master title. Maagang Pasko ito (This is an early Christmas gift),” said Bagamasbad, who pocketed the top prize of $350 plus free single room and food at the 2023 World Seniors Chess Championships.

Miles Patterson of Australia finished second with 7.0 points for the silver medal plus IM norms while Fide Master Robert W Smith of New Zealand wound up third with 6.5 points for the bronze.

Robert Racasa, acknowledge God Father of Philippine Memory and long-time supporter and close confidante of Bagamasbad had something to say to the latest achievement of the latter: “Congratulations to the newest International Master of the Philippines IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad for bagging the 2022 Asian Seniors Chess Championships in Aukland, New Zealand. Nagbunga yung mga pinaghirapan natin.”

Meanwhile, Bernardino added that International Master Gary Lane of Australia dominated the 50-and-over division crown with 8.0 points in nine outings.

He also got a Grandmaster norms for his effort aside the gold medal.

Another Filipino entry and Singapore based Fide Master Arlan Cabe came second with 7.0 points for the silver plus International Master norms.

Fide Master Alexei Kulashko of New Zealand settled for third with 6.0 points for the bronze medal.

Woman Fide Master Vivian Smith of New Zealand (in the over-65 category) and Candidate Master Helen Milligan of New Zealand (50-and-over) won the top Woman awards, respectively.

Other Pinoy woodpushers who participated in this week-long event are CM Benjamin Lim, Nunilon Fulo III and Ceferino “Jun” Isaac, all based in New Zealand.

Last round matches pitted Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad of the Philippines versus Paul Beach of New Zealand. The game ended into a draw.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)