Gun ban, signal jamming: It’s simple common sense

By Alex P. Vidal

“Our best theories are not only truer than common sense, they make more sense than common sense.” – David Deutsch

THE uproar on gun ban and signal jamming during the Dinagyang Festival on January 24-25, 2026 shouldn’t confuse any Tom, Dick and Harry.

In fact, it shouldn’t be an issue anymore if some people who advocate them will use common sense or logic.

For gun ban, common sense tells us the Philippine National Police (PNP), headed by Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, was right when it recently approved its implementation, with the restriction taking effect from 12:01 a.m. on January 15 until 11:59 p.m. on January 25, during which the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence will be suspended, as part of security measures to prevent gun-related incidents.

Common sense tells us it’s dangerous to carry any pistol or deadly weapon for that matter when a large number of people gather for a religious and cultural festival and revelry thereafter.

A gun ban during mammoth public festivals will not only protect the civilian populace from trigger happy maniacs who might take advantage of the occasion by throwing their weight around but will also prevent crime from happening when a large number of tourists mix with locals and lawless elements masquerading as festival goers.

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As for signal jamming or the edict for corporate telecommunication companies to temporarily deny subscribers access during the highlights of the festival, it’s already considered a dead issue that kept on coming back each year like a Christmas caroler.

On several occasions in the past Dinagyang events, attempts from the PNP and other edgy sectors to request the City Hall to jam telecommunication signals have been met with overwhelming opposition and even derision from public.

The proposal was so unpopular and unwise that in the most recent Dinagyang celebrations, no one was thinking about it anymore; it has been nixed repeatedly by former Iloilo City mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas due to the widespread negative impact on local businesses, emergency services, and residents.

The need for uninterrupted mobile communication was deemed to far outweigh the security benefits of signal jamming.

If any numbskull will think of reviving the issue and presenting it anew to incumbent City Hall authorities, we’re sure Mayor Raisa Maria Lourdes Sarabia Treñas-Chu will downright thumb it down.

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Some of those who think Iloilo 3^rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor will run unopposed for Iloilo governor in 2028 to replace his brother, incumbent Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr., are jittery that his performance during the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio will give him more media mileage and ensure his win.

Ditto for those angling for Iloilo governor from other political clans who wish that no Defensor will run for the position in 2028.

The “bad” news is Rep. Defensor has been penciled to replace his brother, Gov. Defensor Jr., who is expected to run again for congressman in Rep. Defensor’s district.

Rep. Defensor is expected to be among the prosecutors in the vice president’s impeachment trial if it reaches the senate.

The House of Representatives is expected to impeach the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte after the one-year ban on initiating new impeachment proceedings expires on February 6, 2026.

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EATING FATTY FISH ONCE A WEEK lowers men’s risk for heart failure. Fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, whitefish and char contain omega-3 fatty acids. One weekly three-ounce serving of any of these fish reduced heart failure risk by 12 percent, according to Dr. Emily Leviatan of Cardiovascular Medical Center in Boston.

BARBECUES SHOULD BE AT LEAST FOUR FEET from vinyl siding. Heat from grilling can melt the vinyl. If the siding is fairly new, it may cost $250 to $500 to replace the damaged area. But if it is older and we can’t find replacement pieces, we may have to redo the whole side of the house at a cost of $2,500 or more, says remodeling expert Bill Keith.

AGRICULTURAL ROBOTS ARE ALREADY AMONG US:  mowing grass, spraying pesticides and monitoring crops. Instead of regularly dousing an entire apple orchard with chemicals, towed sensors find diseases or parasites with infrared sensors and cameras, and spray only the affected trees.

LET’S BEWARE INHALING A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER while swimming or bathing as it can sometimes lead to “dry drowning,” in which water in the lungs reduces oxygen flow to the brain, causing loss of consciousness or even death. Dry drowning can occur up to 24 hours after being in water, according to a recent study by the Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.

ALCOHOL CAN RAISE PANCREATIC CANCER RISK. Consuming two or more drinks of any type of alcohol daily can raise risk for this cancer by 22 percent, says a study by the Georgetown University. One drink is 12 ounces of beer, four ounces of 80-proof distilled liquor. SELF DEFENSE: Men should have no more than two alcoholic beverages per day…women no more than one.

SAVING OUR PLANET. Let’s oil our recycling. Let’s make sure we recycle our motor oil rather than disposing of it. Oil can do serious damage to wildlife. Let’s find a local recycling program or a garage that does it in bulk.

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