My mother and Nixlove are also skeptical about allowing me ride that plane to war-torn Mindanao. And I could not blame them. Although I would certainly love to feel what my media colleague Jun Veneracion* (GMA 7) experienced in Basilan, I know I'm not one to play with fate yet. Not now.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines already made calls to the Armed Forces to stop the offensives. Over 50 soldiers, 10 of whom were even mutilated, had been killed and the CBCP is obviously afraid for a highly probable increase in the number of casualties. True, nobody easily wins in war. But stopping the offensives is tantamount to wasting the lives of the soldiers who were earlier killed. I believe the AFP did right in pursuing the bandits.
I salute our soldiers. Each has a story, each has a struggle. I would love to hear their stories, their woes, their worries. I would love to share meals with them while in battle field. Oh it's in these times that I wish I was a man. :p
The way I see it, going to battle is like digging your own grave. For these soldiers, death is seemingly a fulfilled mission. They would rather die with a purpose. And a Philippine flag draped on top of his/her coffin is what it's all about.
I read a Marines shirt (shown at Wowowee) that said: "You may pay our salaries through your taxes but we repay you with our lives." And it hit me. Ok, I won't rant anymore if they cut my hard-earned money. I just hope that the tax goes to its proper destination. Corruption is such an ugly word, you know. But that's another story.
--------
Links:
Nobody will be left alive in Basilan, Sulu, Rosales warns
"Rumors has it that a woman must never go to Basilan or Sulu until she's gotten her wedding ring."
ReplyDeleteLaughs out loud.
what's so funny? hehe. sorry i don't seem to get it. :p
ReplyDelete