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(Published in Zamboanga Today on February 5, 2008.)
Robin Emmott of Reuters recently reported that a number of Americans go to Mexico for dental treatment as costs are about four times cheaper than it is in the United States. Similarly, some of them come over to the
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The Halls of Congress seem to be buzzing at this time of the year—Do we Prosper or do we go for Joe? Zamboanga can breathe a sigh of relief and pride—Beng and Erbie have been home, serving the people in different communities in the city.
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DULMATIN AS ‘PALOS’?
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member Dulmatin, who tops the most wanted list of terrorists with a US$5 million reward on his head, was pronounced by the military to have not been found with the Abu Sayyaf Group that figured in the recent Tawi-Tawi encounter with the Philippine Marines.
Well, Cesar Montano looks better as ‘Palos’—the slippery agent in ABS-CBN’s TV series.
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On February 3, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that “the Supreme Court wants to make justice accessible to the poor.” Oh. Wasn’t it before?
The article reads: “The Supreme Court is calling for another meeting that will discuss how to make it easier for the poor and the marginalized in the country to fight for their rights in court, assert their rights and win justice.” Ahhhh! So… Why are lawyers grinning at this?
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OPPOSING BK 2008
Muslims in
Let us give a brief review of the presidential election results in 2004. The unofficial report of the citizen poll watch National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) declared a victory of Fernando Poe, Jr. with 47.3% of the voting population in Lanao del Sur, and 50.7% in Lanao del Norte. Weeks later, the official report of Congress of the
The Maranaos who voted for President Arroyo should support her programs. Definitely, Balikatan is the annual bilateral program that began when she became president. Their opposition should be made known to her directly. At this point, only she as chief executive and commander-in-chief can order a reversal of the plans for Balikatan 2008, which is to start in 14 days now.
But the holding of the bilateral military exercises within the twin Islamic provinces is…interesting. This should be great media coverage.
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US SOLDIER IN AN ACCIDENT
Now, a week ago, an American soldier figured out in a vehicular accident here in
However, one has to look at this with an objective point of view. He is a foreigner, and wasn’t familiar with the laws of the land. He left his card because he did not intend to run away from the responsibility. He just had to get back to camp and seek advice from competent authorities, being visiting forces.
While these does not mean that we just excuse erring US soldiers, we should also give the benefit of the doubt to them who are also trying to adjust to a culture so different from theirs in the west. They’re following orders from their superiors, and to the government that they have pledged allegiance to. For all we know, some of them may not even want to be here—but are just bound because of an agreement of the national leadership of the two countries.
In addition, the act of one or two or three of the American forces should not be taken as the act of the Joint Special Operations Task Force
This brings to recall American author (and a Pablo Picasso portrait subject) Gertrude Stein, who once said, “Americans are very friendly and very suspicious, that is what Americans are and that is what always upsets the foreigner, who deals with them, they are so friendly how can they be so suspicious they are so suspicious how can they be so friendly but they just are.”
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FIL SOLDIER IN AN ACCIDENT
Similarly, last year, a Filipino soldier from the Engineering Battalion based in Camp Arturo Enrile got involved in a vehicular accident while driving a military truck. The poor civilian driving the motorcycle got hospitalized, but the erring Filipino soldier never showed up anymore. When the victim’s family went to camp, it was his superior, a Captain, that faced them—and ironically, sought from the victim’s family exemption from liability. As the family appealed once more for assistance, the Captain and the erring Army driver got angry, and even hollered at the victim’s aunt and cousin.
It took months for the victim, an employee of Universal Canning Corporation, to recuperate. Did the Filipino soldier do anything? Nada.
So, do we say all in the Philippine Army are as heartless as that one truck driver of the 55th Engineering Battalion? No, we don’t.
All we do is single out one or two rotten apples.
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US FORCES IN BOALAN
On Saturday last week, some members of the
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TFZ TO STAY
Zamboanga is most thankful that Task Force Zamboanga is staying in the city to provide added security.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alex Yano was the very first to share that Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon had announced the retention of TFZ along with few other Task Forces in other parts of southern Philippines. Later, TFZ commander Col. Darwin Guerra also relayed the good news.
Zamboangueños are more confident with Guerra as commander of the 300-man task force. Guerra’s record as a soldier and combatant is impeccable, having led soldiers in Basilan, in
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Following the publication of an Editorial in Zamboanga Today that said, should the City consider Gen. Alexander Yano as the fourth adopted son of Zamboanga, such would not be surprising. The present Army Chief is the first ex-Task Force Zamboanga commander who has achieved so high to become the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the
Zamboanga Today received several texts mostly from businessmen, bankers, and even teachers, and few supportive soldiers approving the idea.
The adoption however is the act of the executive and legislative bodies of the city government of Zamboanga.
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To all delegates of
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END NOTES:
There are just too many things to think of, and say to, for a very limited space. However, Zamboanga Today cannot have much space assailing other papers and other writers. Those who want to claim that they are better are free to do so. We got democracy here. City councilors who believe they are at a pedestal and should not be subject to criticism are free to think as they believe, and if they wish to speak ill of anyone in Zamboanga Today, they are free to do so as well. Our circulation, sales and advertisements speak for themselves. And it’s a free country.
We may not be perfect, but we in Zamboanga Today also have the freedom to smile when we read other papers, or when we hear city councilors yakking too much about us instead of doing their job of proposing truly significant ordinances for the City of
Saint Ignatius of Loyola is most famous for the prayer of generosity—and it teaches us a value we should all practice: selfless giving. When we give, we ought not count the cost. When we serve, we should not expect anything in return. Our dear public servants should always remember that when taxpayers and voters come to them at any time seeking for assistance, it does not follow that when they provide, these constituents would be indebted to them forever even when they have erred.
Well, these are just thoughts from a paper tiger. (Frencie L. Carreon)
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