"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."
-- Mark Twain
By Alex P. Vidal
FAIRFAX, Virginia -- A septuagenarian Fil-Am religious leader has called on all faithful in the Philippines and the United States to unite and rally behind President Rodrigo Duterte as the latter faces the "difficult" task of solving both the insurgency and terroristic problems in his first year in office.
 |
| EVANGELISTA |
"I support the style of President Duterte. I can connect with his brand of leadership. We all need to support him," suggested Mariano C. Evangelista, preacher and head of the Falls Church-based Christian Evangelization Ministry.
Evangelista, 83, one of the first Filipino civil service recruits to serve in Vietnam War in 1964, said religion is not a hindrance to serve God and the country.
Duterte has to succeed as president because the Filipinos' problems on ISIS-backed Maute terrorism and the insurgency from the left are not ordinary, warned Evangelista, an Ilocano who has lived in the US for at least 30 years.
ENGAGE
Maute rebels continued to engage government troops in bloody battle in Marawi City and refused to surrender. The gunbattle has been raging for over three weeks now and killed hundreds of protagonists from both sides, including civilians caught in crossfire.
Duterte has decalred Martial Law in Mindanao.
The peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) are also in jeopardy amid efforts from both sides to resume them.
"You maybe a born again, a Baptist, a Catholic, a Hindu, a Buddish, a Muslim, a Seventh Day Adventist, a Mormon, or an Iglesia (Ni Kristo), God doesn't discriminate," sighed Evangelista. "We all need to unite. Let us not fear death because we will all go there anyway. That alone can give us salvation and peace of mind."
He said he believed in the statement of fomer US President George W. Bush who reportedly claimed in a TV interview that "the Philippines is the richest country in the world."
RICH
"I knew what President Bush meant. He meant that the Philippines is the richest in the world because of the bullions of gold that have been hidden in various islands during the World War II," Evangelista, a highly-respected community leader in Falls Church, Virginia, explained,
"Until now, the gold bars are still there (in the Philippines) and thousands have died just to protect their secret locations."
According to Evangelista, the late President Ferdinand Marcos knew some of the codes where the bullions of gold were hidden.
"That's why Marcos was already rich even before he became president," he argued. "He was ousted not by the People Power as what we all have seen on TV in 1986. He was ousted by a powerful person because Marcos knew too much and refused to be manipulated."
"It is impossible for us to break a law. We can only break ourselves against the law."
--Cecile B. DeMille
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Please spare the Visayas.
In his arrival speech in Manila from Russia May 24, President Rodrigo Duterte hinted he might also declare Martial Law in Visayas if the situation warrants.
Duterte's statement came hours after he signed a document in Russia placing the entire Mindanao under Martial Law after a band of terrorists belonging to the Maute Group rolled over Marawi City and killed scores of unarmed civilians and cops and damaged government properties on May 23.
They also hostaged a priest and several others while fleeing from scene of the carnage.
The blitzkrieg caught both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) by surprise.
While many groups, experts, military and civilian leaders supported Mr. Duterte's order in Mindanao, we doubt if he can gather the same sentiments once he includes the Visayas if the Maute Group is not annihilated in Mindanao.
ENTER
The only time that a terrorist group entered the Visayas area was during the Holy Week in April this year when Abu Sayyaf bandits sneaked into Bohol only to be demolished by the government's superior forces before they could inflict mayhem on civilians and government properties.
There was no need for the President to declare Martial Law to nip Abu Sayyaf in the bud in that bloody raid.
Tourism and economy will be badly affected if Visayas is placed under Martial Law.
All the efforts and sacrifices undertaken by our tourism and economic officials these past months will go to waste once military rule is established in the Visayas albeit temporarily.
The Martial Law in Mindanao is only for 60 days, Mr. Duterte asserted, but it could last until the end of his term as president.
MILITARY
Investors are not comfortable with a military rule. Tourists will shy away from our country in general.
In a language understood by ordinary civilians, Martial Law is synonymous to violence. It also means curtailment of their basic rights.
Authorities will, of course, argue that Martial Law is necessary in order to protect the state; or, the interest of the state will always be paramount over the interest of individuals residing in the state.
If Martial Law is "good" for Mindanao in order to restore peace and order and put to total stop all potential terroristic activities by Maute or any Islamic rebellious group, it may be a bane for Visayas, Luzon and the entire country in general.
Mr. Duterte's national security advisers must evaluate and reevaluate the situation thoroughly before making drastic military decisions for Visayas and Luzon.
Congress must also do its share and utilize its constitutionally-mandated powers to help guide the President on this crucial matter.
