A month of compassion and anger

JANUARY 2015 will be a month in the Philippines that will long be remembered by millions of Filipino families.

It was the month the charismatic and rock star Pope Francis took time to visit the country to remind and teach this nation more lessons in humility and compassion as Jesus Christ lived it. Without a doubt, millions were touched by his presence and messages in very meaningful ways that led many to find ways to strengthen their faith in God and in our people.

That euphoria over spiritual enlightenment, however, was rudely suspended all too sudden by the massacre of 44 dedicated troopers of the PNP-Special Action Force on a legitimate mission, by murderous elements of the MILF, BIFF and the private armed group of the notorious Ampatuan clan.

All too sudden, the nation was awaken from its stupor over the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law that offered full autonomy to a people to be governed by MILF that was after exposed to be a wolf in a sheep’s clothing after all. The savagery and deceitful ways of the MILF combatants and leaders that followed the ambush of the SAF forces alarmed and angered Filipino families, in sharp contrast to the calm and serene feeling that enveloped the nation two weeks earlier. All too sudden, we are again a people divided.

It was a month that cried out for love and hatred, compassion and retribution, mercy and judgment. Let January 2015 remind us that our nation is what we make it to be. The choice is ours

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Stop peace talks

WE think it is right to momentarily stop the peace talks between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).  What is there to talk about when the nation grieves over the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) personnel on MILF territory?

A ceasefire was in effect when the massacre happened.  Clearly, there was a violation of a major component of the still-to-be finalized BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law), the main anchor to hopefully finally cement peace in Mindanao.

The murdered SAF cops were on a mission to serve warrants of arrest to Marman and Usman, two international terrorists with million-dollar tags on their heads.  The police were in uniform.  Yet, they were mercilessly gunned down; some were even mutilated and their remains sealed in metal caskets to hide the barbarity they had suffered at the hands of their killers.

Peace talks should now be on hold pending the result of the inquiry to get to the bottom of the Fallen 44.  No other recourse if we value lives.

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