BAÑOC
I believe that the tarpaulin with a photo of former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in the company of slain Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and Ronda, Cebu Vice Mayor Atty. Jonnah John Ungab was hung for purposes of political propaganda rather than being an actual security threat to the former.
The message in the tarpaulin was foul because the heads of the deceased persons were marked with an “X” while Rama’s head was encircled with the words “ikaw ang sunod” or “you are next” written near it. What is hair-raising is that the color of the paint being used in the markings was red like blood.
Many would like to connect the photo in the tarpaulin to President Rodrigo Duterte’s allegation that Rama is a drug protector. Considering that Duterte is credible nowadays, it is unavoidable that many would believe in him. That makes Rama so unlucky at least for now.
While many suspected his friendship with known drug lords Crisostomo “Tata” Negro, Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz and him publicly administering the oath taking of Mayor Espinosa, others also give Rama the benefit of the doubt because he is also known as being naturally friendly. He might just be naturally accommodating to all.
In fairness to both Rama and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, I don’t believe that they are drug users and protectors. As to the question of whether or not they accepted contributions from the drug lords, as the latter reportedly do during election time, that is another story. Only Rama, Osmeña, and God know for certain.
Given the message in the tarpaulin, I would like to advise Rama not to take it for granted. He should take it seriously and take precautionary measures. Who knows it could be a real warning on his part. He must also anticipate that there might be bad elements who want to take advantage of his situation now.
On the other hand, it might also be pure propaganda because if it was really a threat to Rama’s life then why was it not directly addressed to him by way of text messages or calls? Why was it not put outside his house or the Rama’s compound?
It seems that the consideration really of the tarpaulin is for the people to see it, that’s why it was hung in an overt place. The pictures and the wordings are also purposely made that it is easily noticeable, visible and readable to the motorists. At least the one who made it has knowledge on outdoor advertising.
While the police are still investigating the said incident, people are free to interpret the real motives for displaying that tarpaulin. Granting that it was a political advertisement, the valid question is whose camp was making it?
There are many who suspect that his opponent Mayor Tomas Osmeña made that kind of propaganda. Some suspect that it was Rama himself who made it. Others also suspect that Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella’s faction did it.
Let us try to discuss the three angles confined in political propaganda. It might be Osmeña who did it. He wanted to put down Rama because he might have a rematch with him in the upcoming election. There is also a possibility that Osmena’s loyalists did it without his consent.
It can also be said that it was just a drama coming from Rama himself to get public sympathy. It can also be the initiative of Rama’s loyalists without his knowledge.
It can also be coming from Labella’s camp. They wanted to send the message to Rama that his name does not sell anymore as of this time. So he should give way to Labella to have a chance to topple down Mayor Osmeña. They might want to put down Rama because if he insists on running in the upcoming election that would result to a three-cornered fight, their chance of winning against Osmeña is very slim, and Rama’s and Labella’s respective political fates would be a disaster.
It is public knowledge that politics is a very dirty game. You will never know who your friends are.