2 Pinoy doctors and DFA’s melodrama

“Conflict is drama, and how people deal with conflict shows you the kind of people they are.”

—Stephen Moyer

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has treated the case of two Filipino doctors who recently crossed the Rafah border from war-torn Gaza Strip to Egypt like a movie script.

And the two doctors—Darwin dela Cruz and Regidor Esguerra—appeared to be willing participants in the melodramatic portrayal by the DFA of a simple crossing in the Gaza-Egypt border by a group of Doctors Without Borders or Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF), which is not actually earthshaking.

Let’s make this clear and put everything in proper perspective.

Dela Cruz and Esguerra are not OFWs or Filipinos based in Palestine who were trapped when Israel started the rocket and brutal ground assaults in Gaza to eviscerate terrorist Hamas.

They were members of MSF international staff permitted to leave Gaza for being international aid workers.

In other words, the crossing of two Pinoy doctors, along with other MSF International staff from other countries, was really expected.

It was not supposed to be exploited and used as shindig by any DFA official to tantalize us that our foreign affairs officials “did something” to rescue trapped Philippine nationals in Gaza.

They can’t smokescreen the exaggeration and aggrandizement.

 

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In fact, the DFA ostensibly violated MSF’s request to “respect the privacy and wellbeing” of all MSF staff when DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega used the MSF staff crossing as a major event owing to the presence in the group of two Filipino doctors. 

By using the occasion for a publicity stunt leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

The two Pinoy doctors, who were supposed to perform their sworn duties and obligations as medical aid workers without any hurly-burly publicity gimmick, were equally liable for exploiting the normal crossing to score pogi points (did they announce their “freedom” in the social media?). They should not. They must not. 

International aid workers are supposed to be reticent who shun publicity.

The MSF had clearly stated the team that crossed the Rafah border recently included 22 MSF staff, where the two Pinoy doctors belonged. “Although some names have been circulated on social media, we ask for their privacy and wellbeing to be respected,” appealed the MSF.

“A new team of international MSF staff, including a specialized medical team, has already been identified and is ready to enter Gaza as soon as the situation allows, to support the humanitarian and medical response.”

DFA, as well as the Philippine Embassy in Israel, is not yet off the hook. Some 134 Filipinos are still in danger of being killed under shelling if they could not be evacuated or allowed to cross from Gaza to Egypt.

These are the warm bodies that need to be evacuated and rescued. 

This is the true state of the Philippine nationals caught in the middle of violence and war between Israel and Hamas.

The DFA should stop the dramatization of the two Pinoy doctors’ crossing—unless they are doing it to hide their incompetence and failures.

 

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I RECEIVED another email from New York Governor Cathy Hochul which she also sent to other New Yorkers on November 1:

Alex, I know many New Yorkers are hurting right now.

Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, brutally killing women and children and kidnapping hundreds — including Americans — tension has risen in communities across New York. For Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers alike, the pain is deep, as they fear not just for the safety of their loved ones in harm's way, but increasingly, for their own safety here at home.

As governor, my number one priority is protecting New Yorkers.

I’ve met with Jewish and Muslim communities.

I’ve heard about the fear they’re feeling.

And I want to let you know directly what your state government is doing to protect all New Yorkers from discrimination and violence. New York State is:

—Committing $50 million to help local law enforcement agencies prevent and solve crime, including hate crimes 

—Supporting communities at risk of hate crimes, with $25 million to help vulnerable organizations boost security  

—Conducting a third-party review of CUNY’s antisemitism and anti-discrimination policies  

—Expanding State Police's Social Media Analysis Unit to monitor threats on school and college campuses 

—Launching in-person, community specific community circles through the Division of Human Rights to bring New Yorkers together

—Every single New Yorker has a right to feel safe and to be safe as they go about their daily lives — we must accept nothing less.

We will not allow hate and intimidation to become normalized. We will not risk losing our identity as a place that has been long admired, a place known for acceptance. We are New Yorkers, and we will continue to set an example for the rest of the country and the world.

Ever upward, Gov. Kathy Hochul

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed

Adding insult to injury

“Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.”

—Cordell Hull

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE social media again became the nerve center of both the winners and losers in the just-concluded October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Elections (BSKE) in the Philippines.

Many protagonists reinstated their enmity and grudges in the social media even after the winners and losers have been known. 

The itch to swap insults and barbs didn’t end with the results of the election.

Friends and sympathizers added insult to many injuries by not only “liking” the social media posts that ridiculed the losers, but also by making incendiary and provocative comments.  

“Paano indi mapierdi kay asta paryente ya gani wala nag boto sa iya.” 

(No wonder he lost because even his relatives didn’t cast their votes for him),” screamed one comment. 

Money has always played a major role in any election. Without it, it’s impossible to woo and win the support of the voters. 

In their X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok posts, many losers—especially in the race for village chief—blamed “lack of funds” to be the major reason for their defeat. 

 

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“Lack of funds” could be misconstrued for “lack of money to buy votes” or “lack of money to pay poll watchers and poll campaigners.”

“Vote-buying was rampant in our barangay. I knew I wouldn’t make it because I didn’t have the money; I didn’t want to buy votes,” a frustrated punong barangay in San Miguel, Iloilo moaned in his X post.

Others pointed to “black propaganda” as the main culprit for their loss. “My opponents used lies and other forms of black propaganda to paint me as a bad person and many voters believed them,” a punong barangay in Mandurriao district who lost for reelection, lamented in her Facebook post.

Like in any other competitions there are always winners and losers. That’s why we have been exhorted to “be magnanimous in victory” or be very kind to a person or persons we just conquered in competitions.

After all, a magnanimous person has a generous spirit.

We have been told also to “be humble in defeat” or “humble in victory, gracious in defeat”. It’s showcasing a high character no matter the result, because others are watching and will recognize it.  

 

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IF I were a United Nations (UN) representative, I would vote for a “ceasefire” or in support of any resolution that calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza Strip and its surroundings.

The Philippines “abstained” from voting on the recent UN General Assembly resolution calling for a truce between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Abstention is a sign of cowardice or lack of principle. Dante said the hottest spot in hell is reserved for those who refuse to make a stand in moments of moral crisis. 

What prompted the Philippines to abstain, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), was the lack of “factual information” on the October 7 attack in Israel that massacred 1,400 civilians and a “condemnation” of Hamas’ atrocities in the UN resolution.

Any call for a ceasefire should have no condition or strings attached. 

 

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I support Israel’s rights to defend itself in as much as I also support the rights of innocent Palestinians, especially children, women, and elderly, to live and be protected from violence and terrorism since they have nothing to do whatsoever with the hatred and animosity that triggered the clash between the Jews and the terrorist Hamas.

I am for ceasefire because more children are being killed—and continued to be killed in non-stop rocket and ground attacks—as long as Bibi Netanyahu wouldn’t call to stop the Israel ground assault and carnage in Gaza.

I am for ceasefire because I believe in the saying that violence begets violence.

I am for ceasefire because I hate war—a protracted war that benefits no one but the merchants of violence and mayhem.

I am for ceasefire because, basically, I am a Christian who advocates for peace and love for mankind.  

Most of all, I love life like most Jews, Palestinians, and all the races and religions in the world. 

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed) 

 

If 49 Pinoys aren’t found, DFA exec should resign

“Anyone who isn't confused really doesn't understand the situation.”

—Edward R. Murrow

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

TWELVE days ago, we criticized Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega after announcing on October 20 that the “Egyptian government has promised to give priority to evacuating Filipinos once the Rafah border crossing opens.”

We thought De Vega’s words were hyperbole and unreliable since Egyptian authorities couldn’t even ensure the crossing to Egypt of many citizens from the United States, Europe, and other Arab countries trapped in Gaza; ergo, why “prioritize” the “very few” Filipinos?

Despite intensive international efforts to secure a window of time for the Rafah crossing to open to foreigners who wanted to exit the Strip, the Egyptian government actually has refused to allow either Gazans or foreign nationals to exit Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

De Vega, speaking over Radyo 630, had said, “Kinausap ko ang ambassador ng Egypt kahapon at sinabi ng kanilang pamahalaan na bibigyan ng priority ang mga Pilipinong lulusot. Pangako niya ‘yan na bibigyan tayo ng priority sa border.”

(I spoke with the Egyptian ambassador yesterday and their government said that they will give priority to Filipinos who will pass through. That’s his promise to give us priority at the border.)

 

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The following day, or on October 21, the Rafah border finally opened for humanitarian aid, but not a single Filipino national, or Filipino married to Palestinian or Egyptian was allowed to cross.

On October 30, or 10 days after De Vega made the statement, it was reported that the Philippine government “struggled to reach some Filipinos in Gaza, days after Israel began its ground invasion of the besieged enclave.”

A Philippine envoy reportedly confirmed that 49 Filipinos in Gaza were “unreachable.” 

What happened to the “assurance” the Egyptian ambassador had supposedly made to De Vega to “prioritize” the Filipinos who are now “unreachable?”

For his dizzying and untrustworthy statements, De Vega should resign if the 49 “unreachable” Filipinos in Gaza won’t be found.

A Palestinian border official said that Egypt had blocked the crossing gates with concrete blocks. Egypt has stated that Israeli airstrikes also hit the Gaza side of the crossing.

 

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The lands where the historical Jesus once walked and lived has never found genuine peace. Since time immemorial the bloody conflict between the Arabs and Jews has been intense, enormous, and sustained.

It seems Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have been identified to be the most violent-laden religions in the world. For thousands of years, millions have died violently in the wars involving the three major religions in the world.

Interestingly, Buddhism, which follows a set of guidelines for daily life called the Five Precepts, appears to be the most peaceful religion in the world.

Buddhists don’t harm or kill living things; they do not take things unless they are freely given; they lead a decent life; they do not speak unkindly or tell lies; and they do not abuse drugs or drink alcohol.

Buddhists also adhere to the Three Universal Truths such as:

—Everything in life is impermanent and always changing

—Because nothing is permanent, a life based on possessing things or persons doesn't make you happy; and 

—There is no eternal, unchanging soul and "self" is just a collection of changing characteristics or attributes.

 

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SAVING OUR PLANET. Clean up with vinegar. Don't clean up our toilets with a mineral-deposits remover as it contains harsh chemicals that harm the environment when flushed down the toilet into the water system. Vinegar is an excellent substitute to scrub off rush and deposits marks.

SAVING OUR PLANET. Let's salt our silver. Silver cleaners can be abrasive and harsh. Let's make our own cleaner for sterling (not plate) silver by mixing 1 pint of water with a teaspoon each of salt and baking powder and adding a strip of aluminum foil. Drop the silver into this mixture, boil for a few minutes, remove with tongs and polish with a soft cloth. Add lemon juice for really grimy silver.

SAVING OUR PLANET: Don't dispose. Whenever we can, let's swap our throw-away, disposable items for reusable versions. We won't have to pay out over and over again plus we will avoid contributing to landfill.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

‘Allowed to cross’ is different from ‘given priority’

“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.”

—Ronald Reagan

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ANOTHER high-ranking government official who thinks Filipinos don’t know how to analyze is Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, who announced October 20 that the “Egyptian government has promised to give priority to evacuating Filipinos once the Rafah border crossing opens.”

Really? There were dozens of nationalities from the Arab peninsula and even the United States of America and Europe who couldn’t even be accommodated due to a myriad of circumstances, according to reports, and Egypt will “prioritize” the fleeing Filipinos? Whoa.

Are we that special to Egypt, Mr. Undersecretary?

Otherwise known as Rafah Border Crossing, Rafah Crossing Point is the sole crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip located on the Gaza–Egypt border and recognized by the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty.

Speaking over Radyo 630, De Vega said, “Kinausap ko ang ambassador ng Egypt kahapon at sinabi ng kanilang pamahalaan na bibigyan ng priority ang mga Pilipinong lulusot. Pangako niya ‘yan na bibigyan tayo ng priority sa border.”

(I spoke with the Egyptian ambassador yesterday and their government said that they will give priority to Filipinos who will pass through. That’s his promise to give us priority at the border.)

Did he mean Filipinos would be “allowed to cross” instead of “given the priority” just in case (because there was no certainty yet as of this writing) the border opens on October 20 as reportedly scheduled?

 

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Even in semantics, DFA officials like De Vega must not confused the Filipinos. He must be clear and direct to the point; and refrain from beating around the bush since they are dealing with safe repatriation of mostly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) trapped in the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

We’re sure De Vega is aware there’s a lot of issues and problems in the Rafah border that its opening requires cooperation from both Egypt and Israel, which each control a gate on their side, as well as Hamas, which must provide assurances that the group will not interfere.

And authorities have been hesitant to open the border because of the major issues like the one reported earlier by Said Sadek, peace studies teacher at the Egypt-Japan University, who has said Egypt "does not want to see large numbers of Palestinians in the Sinai, because it could cause instability in a key tourist hotspot, if they began firing at Israel from Egyptian soil."

Sadek also said that a large Palestinian presence in Egypt "could cause turmoil between Egyptians who support peace with Israel and those who would like to fight the Jewish state."

 

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De Vega should have been aware that World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said at the news conference recently the United Nations agency also has supplies sufficient to care for 2,000 patients waiting on the Egyptian side of the border, with 80,000 additional pounds of supplies set to arrive over the next week. 

The WHO was reportedly initially being allowed five truckloads of supplies, and they’re ready to go as soon as the border opens. But the organization needs assurances that those delivering them will be allowed to do so safely.

Given the aforementioned situations, why would Egypt “prioritize” the small number of Filipinos when they could even hardly facilitate the crossing of WHO supplies as reported?  

Several Israeli airstrikes have reportedly hit the area in the past few days, killing at least 49 people at the crossing and in the nearby town of Khan Younis on October 17, according to Gaza’s interior ministry. 

So far, the Israel-Hamas war has left at least 2,800 people in Gaza dead and 10,000 injured. In Israel, 1,400 people have died and 3,900 have been wounded.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)