Hardy
18-12-08, 05:42
On 18 Oct a married couple visited me at my stable to relate a story of what happened to them on Fields Ave. They felt that it was something to be passed on as an example of how easy it is to run afoul of the law and be mistreated at Station four. Lena and Greg were walking along Fields Ave around midnight on 9 Oct when a young boy, about 12 years old, approached them asking for money. They tried to ignore him but as usual, he persisted and the Lena told him emphatically to leave them alone. Instead of leaving the boy picked up some dirt and small rocks and threw it at the wife. The husband reacted and chased the boy and when he finally caught him he grabbed him by the shirt front and told him that he was going to take him to the police station. The boy, according to Greg, became scared and apologetic and Greg let him go. He then rejoined his wife and started to walk along Fields Ave again. Suddenly, some men approached them with the boy in hand and told them that they were taking them to the police station for abusing the boy. They ended up in Station Four and found themselves at the mercy of the night shift there. During the course of the interview with the police one officer decided that Lena should be put in the cell at the back of the station and Lena was aghast at this and indicated that she did not want to be put in a cell. The policeman grabbed her arm and started to pull her to the cell at which time Greg grabbed his arm to stop him and told him to stop pulling his wife and that if she was to be put in a cell then he would accompany her as well. So, they both ended up in the cell. Suddenly, charges are now being pressed against this couple for 4 charges of child abuse and two charges of assaulting the police and resisting arrest. They were held in the jail the rest of the night and during the evening one guy in civilian clothes kept coming to them during the night telling them how much trouble they were in and that they should negotiate to pay money to get out. At no time was there any investigation by the police to talk to witnesses who saw what happened and there was no hospital report on the boy. Also, I wonder why this young boy was out harassing tourists at a time that violated the curfew hours. Why didn't the police notify the DSWD of a curfew violation? Greg also told me that while they were in the cell a Korean was arrested as well. It seems that he was accosted by some lady while playing pool in some outdoor pool facility and somehow there was an altercation. He had marks on his neck and scratches yet he was accused of assault and thrown in jail. Whatever the case, he was terrified and had to call friends to bring P50,000 to get out of jail. He left vowing never to return to Angeles City again. As the night passed into morning, Lena and Greg were kept in the cell until early morning Maj Louie Tan showed up and saw them. He asked what they were doing there and then went out to the desk Sergeant and told him to get them out of the cell, that they should not be there. He then left and nothing else was done until Sgt Amarillo came on duty and was able to assist the couple by straightening out the mess and getting them released. Greg and Lena had high praise for Tan and Amarillo but I wonder why Tan was not able to do more since he is the Deputy Commander of Station four and should have been able to obtain their release without leaving them in Station Four for additional hours. The question in my mind is why are most complaints against Station Four dealing with the night shift? It appears that tourists are victimized during the late hours and they are not treated with the respect due them. Greg made a mistake by chasing the kid that threw rocks at his wife and grabbing him by the shirt but it was a reaction that many husbands would be guilty of, foreigner or not. Regretfully, in Angeles City it becomes an opportunity for some local citizens to try and make some money and the less than tourist friendly police do not "assist" at all but instead, encourage such practices. So, a Korean pays P50,000 and hates the place and a married couple are held in jail, unfairly, and can't wait to get back to a friendlier province. Fields Ave needs to be cleaned up real damn quick, and I don't mean just the dirty streets, but it appears that no one in authority is interested in doing that.
This month I write with mixed emotions. My heart is not in it as much as it has been before. The town I love so much is changing and the direction is a mixture of good and bad. My heart is heavy with frustration, disappointment and apprehension. My spirits are lifted as I see more investment coming into town. I see the Walk-a-bout hotel near completion, I see new multi-story condominiums being built in the Fields Ave area and also further up Perimeter road. I see more restaurants, more Clubs, more businesses opening up in the Freeport Zone (Clark). I see a most needed drainage system being constructed along Perimeter Road thanks to our Mayor. Angeles City is growing and becoming more exciting with each month. The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is making it easier for foreigners to retire here. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is working hard to promote the Philippines as a tourist destination. Subic and Angeles have become much closer thanks to the new toll road. The entertainment zone, from Fields Ave to Friendship remains a wonderful place to visit and meet the lady of your dreams, and yes, sometimes, your worst nightmare. But, yes, there is always a "but" when it comes to Angeles City, not all is well. Clubs are being raided and closed, foreigners are being arrested under very questionable circumstances, the card playing scammers are back in force with no fear of apprehension, foreigners are being attacked on the streets, underage children are back in force on Fields Ave, and many investors are being asked for unreasonable donations to certain greedy men of influence. Of course, this is the Philippines and when one chooses to live here certain adjustments have to be made. Sometimes it is an easy adjustment and yes, at times there are adjustments that are difficult to live with. At this time, not every Expat or foreign investor is calling it quits and heading back to their home countries but there are many that are having second thoughts. As for myself, I remain optimistic that things will improve, if not, no problem, I will allow myself to become less active and just wait for another generation to try and right the wrongs that exist today. I am sad to see one of most dynamic investors in Angeles City depart. He is controversial, strong willed, and not really a "people person" but he is smart, one of the best organizers one can hope to meet, civic minded, respected and admired by his many friends that took the time to get to know him. This Horse is one of those who respect and admire Mr. Mark Smith. I was saddened when I heard that he was packing up to head for Las Vegas, Nevada to start a new life there. I understand his reasons that center around a better life for his children and that this is the time to buy a house or Condo in the States with the housing situation that allows a buyer to get some very good deals. What is not mentioned too often is that the latest harassment from City officials was the straw that broke the camel's back. Mark had planned to make this move two or three years from now but after the latest raid on his Club (Roadhouse) and then being threatened with certain legal actions he felt that enough was enough. Home, family and his health (he suffered a major heart attack last year) was more important to him than trying to lead fellow businessmen in standing up to certain irregularities in doing business here and not receiving any support from those he was trying to help. So, the "Sheriff" is leaving AC and whether you agree with me or not, I feel it is a big loss to ACTA, the Bahay Bata Street children's Center, the Rotary Club of Clark Centennial and Fields Ave.
This month I write with mixed emotions. My heart is not in it as much as it has been before. The town I love so much is changing and the direction is a mixture of good and bad. My heart is heavy with frustration, disappointment and apprehension. My spirits are lifted as I see more investment coming into town. I see the Walk-a-bout hotel near completion, I see new multi-story condominiums being built in the Fields Ave area and also further up Perimeter road. I see more restaurants, more Clubs, more businesses opening up in the Freeport Zone (Clark). I see a most needed drainage system being constructed along Perimeter Road thanks to our Mayor. Angeles City is growing and becoming more exciting with each month. The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is making it easier for foreigners to retire here. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is working hard to promote the Philippines as a tourist destination. Subic and Angeles have become much closer thanks to the new toll road. The entertainment zone, from Fields Ave to Friendship remains a wonderful place to visit and meet the lady of your dreams, and yes, sometimes, your worst nightmare. But, yes, there is always a "but" when it comes to Angeles City, not all is well. Clubs are being raided and closed, foreigners are being arrested under very questionable circumstances, the card playing scammers are back in force with no fear of apprehension, foreigners are being attacked on the streets, underage children are back in force on Fields Ave, and many investors are being asked for unreasonable donations to certain greedy men of influence. Of course, this is the Philippines and when one chooses to live here certain adjustments have to be made. Sometimes it is an easy adjustment and yes, at times there are adjustments that are difficult to live with. At this time, not every Expat or foreign investor is calling it quits and heading back to their home countries but there are many that are having second thoughts. As for myself, I remain optimistic that things will improve, if not, no problem, I will allow myself to become less active and just wait for another generation to try and right the wrongs that exist today. I am sad to see one of most dynamic investors in Angeles City depart. He is controversial, strong willed, and not really a "people person" but he is smart, one of the best organizers one can hope to meet, civic minded, respected and admired by his many friends that took the time to get to know him. This Horse is one of those who respect and admire Mr. Mark Smith. I was saddened when I heard that he was packing up to head for Las Vegas, Nevada to start a new life there. I understand his reasons that center around a better life for his children and that this is the time to buy a house or Condo in the States with the housing situation that allows a buyer to get some very good deals. What is not mentioned too often is that the latest harassment from City officials was the straw that broke the camel's back. Mark had planned to make this move two or three years from now but after the latest raid on his Club (Roadhouse) and then being threatened with certain legal actions he felt that enough was enough. Home, family and his health (he suffered a major heart attack last year) was more important to him than trying to lead fellow businessmen in standing up to certain irregularities in doing business here and not receiving any support from those he was trying to help. So, the "Sheriff" is leaving AC and whether you agree with me or not, I feel it is a big loss to ACTA, the Bahay Bata Street children's Center, the Rotary Club of Clark Centennial and Fields Ave.