Bias for Life vs.
Demands of (National) Security?
By Rev. EUTIQUIO ‘EULY’ B. BELIZAR, JR., SThD
August
26, 2007
“When soldiers and
civilians die in free self-giving sacrifice for their country, that
makes them heroes; but when, in truth, they are sent to death to
protect a regime…”
In the Philippines we
are all aghast at the sight of flag-draped coffins of soldiers who
have died in the on-going Mindanao war between government forces and
the Abu Sayyaf plus its allies from the MILF and MNLF. Television
footages or accounts of decapitated or mutilated bodies make us recoil
or gasp in horror but hardly lie. “It’s a waste of lives,” Roman
Catholic Bishop Martin Jumoad of Basilan recently lamented. Absolutely
no one from the conflicting forces openly disagrees. The bias for life
as expressed by the bishop is rarely, if at all, questioned in the
land of
Rizal.
But its slow downgrading is being subtly shown in our
life-for-national-security government culture.
On the one hand, the
scenario of the dead, the dying, the wounded, displaced families and
the innocent being victimized by the crimes of a few has the makings
of a public relations nightmare for the government. It has sparked
chorus after chorus of protests from civil, religious and ordinary
concerned citizens. On the other hand, the Philippine government
insists there is no other way to deal with the perceived terrorists
than to crush them. And the seeming public relations nightmare that
the deaths of soldiers have become is fast being turned into a public
relations offensive.
In other more
democratic countries (the U.S. for one) governments strictly keep the
media away from covering the arrival of and funeral rites for the
casualties of war to avoid demoralizing the population; here the media
have become society’s celebrity-and-hero makers, something the
government is keen to use. First off, media coverage of mutilated,
decapitated or plainly killed soldiers has beefed up support for the
government war effort by inciting desires for revenge from the
majority (Christian) population from whom majority of the dead
soldiers come. Second, by hailing the dead soldiers as “mga bagong
bayani (new heroes)” and giving them public honor is also, in effect,
clothing the life-for-national-security culture with a mantle of
nobility.
Though national
security is often seen as the requirement for the survival of the
nation-state by the use of political, economic, diplomatic and
military powers, in real terms the survival at stake may not
necessarily always be that of the nation-state itself but, instead,
that of an individual or group in power. Therein lies the crux of the
problem in Third World countries like the Philippines. And in the haze
and maze of political language the truth could be easily sugar-coated
or effectively hidden by half-truths or seemingly common-sense
non-truths.
The idea of national
security in the country appears at times dressed up as economic
development and peacekeeping. Recent statements from Malacañang (cf.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 20, 2007, 10) are very telling.
“Economic development, which we draw from the arsenal of democracy,
remains our principal weapon against terrorism,” so spoke Press
Secretary Ignacio Bunye quoting President Macapagal-Arroyo. Ms. Arroyo
continued: “Ongoing peacekeeping operations against rearguard actions
of a despised and defeated group are meant to clear the path for these
provinces’ journey to peace and progress which terror has delayed for
so long”.
I remember reacting to
this statement spontaneously: “If this group was already a ‘defeated
group’, how come they are still around and inflicting heavy casualties
on our military and bleeding our national coffers dry?” Or it could
also be asked, in the context of the global war on terror, whether our
government’s actions are not only meant to allay local fears but also
to impress on the international community that we are not sitting on
our avowed commitment against terror. Nothing wrong with that, but
which nation(s) in particular?
But what about our
role as Church vis-à-vis our bias for life? May I share a few
thoughts.
One, although we admit
that life is not an absolute value as Jesus himself affirmed in word,
that is, by teaching about love as expressed best in giving one’s life
for one’s friends (Jn 15:13), and in deed, that is, by himself dying
on the cross for us (Catechism for Filipino Catholics, no. 996), still
human life is the foundation of all other the other gifts of God to
us. If we were not alive, democracy or national security would be
meaningless. Respect for human life is a must because Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, has done so, and more, by becoming a human being
himself. “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1;14).
Two, life is, as the
CFC text above again states, “the necessary condition for actively
loving others as well as their receiving our love”. If so, then we
must love, not downgrade, human life itself, not only of our soldiers
or of people who share our political beliefs but even of the enemies
of state or of our political enemies. Human lives are equally
precious, however much we bewail, as we should, the inhuman war
practices of some (enemies of state). It follows, therefore, that for
the media to treat the fourteen soldiers’ deaths as of more
consequence than those of forty-two enemies the government forces
killed is to trivialize human life and the common dignity of all human
beings. The uncivilized behavior of an enemy does not humanize doing a
similar course of action.
Three, the Church must
always raise her prophetic voice against the abuse of military force
against unarmed civilians and its dismissive disregard of the value of
human life as “collateral damage”. When soldiers and civilians die in
free self-giving sacrifice for their country, that makes them heroes;
but when, in truth, they are sent to death to protect a regime or prop
up its image to its international supporters, the war effort in which
they die is anything but moral. The leaders responsible for the war
have blood in their hands.
Four, the
nation-state, like every individual human being, has the right to
protect itself. But the use of armed conflict as a means of
self-protection raises questions. Not least of which is whether
peaceful means have been exhausted, whether there is a just cause,
whether it is aimed and actually protects human rights, not violate
them, whether it actually can succeed, not prolong indefinitely the
sacrifice of human life and human rights, whether it relies solely on
the unexamined judgment of an individual or a few, whether it is a
last recourse (CFC 1042). I wonder if any of these criteria are even
considered by our government war planners and implementers.
Finally, the bias for
life requires an active work for peace. Nothing brings peace more
effectively than peaceful means. I remember smiling every time a
beauty contestant says she is for “world peace”. But desire is always
a good start. But prayer as a follow-up is a must. I remember praying
earnestly for peace and security (I never distinguished national
security from anyone’s) one morning. That evening I was struck while I
watched the news on television. All I heard were news about accidents
and violent confrontations but there was one commonality: the absence
of human deaths. I asked myself: Is the Lord not educating me about
prayer power? Peace by the ways of peace (and there are more of them
that meets the eye)? Yes, it follows, if you follow the Prince of
Peace.
The case against the
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
By ANTONIO MORALES
July
24, 2007
The Background
The upcoming SK
elections has encouraged a number of new young voters to register so
they could exercise their right of suffrage. Since 1992, the SK
elections have been truly training grounds for nasty electoral
processes. No one can dispute the fact that it has been used as
extension of the dirty politics of the local politicos. The precursor
of SK is of course the Kabataang Barangay (KB) of Marcos. Under the
Local Government Code of 1991 primarily authored by Nene Pimentel, a
staunch nemesis of Marcos, the SK was nothing but an institutionalized
KB.
The Arguments Against
SK
I will focus my
arguments against SK on the following grounds:
1. It is not
necessary;
2. It is not
beneficial; and,
3. It is not
practical.
Necessity of SK: Do we
need the SK for youth empowerment?
The SK is supposed to
be the training ground for future leaders. The framers of the 1991
Local Government Code thought that the SK would be an excellent avenue
for creating better leaders. I would say that it is not necessary for
a leader to be in SK to be a good leader. It does not follow, or it is
non sequitor, that once you are involved in SK that you become a
better leader. Leadership training is available in far better settings
like in schools, churches, or other institutions other than the
government like scouting. The idea that our youth are not getting
enough leadership training because there is no organization like the
SK is simply hilarious.
Another reason why the
SK was instituted is the fact (or I would say the myth) that it could
"initiate policies, programs, or projects for the development of the
youth in their respective political territories." It is so good as a
sound byte or as an oratorical piece but never as a blueprint for
reality. The real world says that it is the local political warlords
or barangay chieftains that dictate whatever programs the SK can have
to benefit them and not to benefit the youth in the area of their
responsibility. More often than not, SK projects are limited to signs,
basketball courts, lamp posts, flowering pots, and the like. They
simply mimic what their elders can do and do not venture into projects
that would truly benefit the youth.
Are there reading
centers or mini-libraries in their barangays? Nope. That won't be
popular. Are there literacy or tutorial programs to benefit the
disadvantaged? Nope. That won't be politically sound. Are there
citizenship or civic training so young people could become better
citizens? Nope. That won't be well attended. Are there tie-ups with
the TESDA and other government institutions for technical or
vocational training for young people? Nope. That would be too serious.
If what the SK can do is to display in a barangay sign the names of
the chairman, kagawads, secretary, and treasurer, then definitely
there is no need to have an SK. The barangay council could do what
they could do.
Beneficiality of SK:
Does our youth benefit from SK?
Qui bono? Who benefits
from having SK? The youth? To some extent yes but that answer should
be qualified. Yes, the youth who are elected into the SK would reap
the rewards but not the youth in general. In a way, it benefits those
in power but not their constituents. Why? An SK kagawad or chairman
receives honoraria for attending SK sessions. The SK chairman who is
elected, through the help of the politicos, to become president of the
municipal/city/provincial federation sits as an ex-officio member of
the municipal/city/provincial council/board with all the perks and
powers of a regular member of the said council/board. Qui bono? The
selected few reaps the manna from the 1991 Local Government Code while
the rest of the youth in their respective barangays are left in the
dark.
Another bunch of
unscrupulous people that will benefit from the SK are the local
politicos who will have a new network of political operatives from
among the SK people. The SK, though apolitical by creation of law like
the barangay, is simply a front of contending politicos. Politicians
finance the election of their wards in the hope that the wards will
deliver the votes or resources in the future when the need arises.
In the end, the spirit
of the law to have the youth benefit from the SK will never
materialize. Only a few will benefit from the system while the
majority will never be able to enjoy the very purpose of the creation
of SK which is to bring good programs and projects for the youth, the
fair hope of the motherland.
Practicality of SK: Is
it cheap to have SK?
Since 1992, billions
of pesos coming from scarce government resources have been spent to
cover for the elections of SKs in practically all barangays in the
Philippines, whether urban or rural. SK officials receive remuneration
for attending SK sessions from barangay funds. SK receives a 10%
apportionment from the barangay budget. With that, they spend their
share for their pet projects that are not necessary, not beneficial to
the youth, and simply a drain to the coffers of the government.
The upcoming
synchronized SK and barangay elections would cost 3 billion pesos. To
say the least, it is not cheap to elect SK officials and keep their
perks. Nene Pimentel, principal author of the 1991 Local Government
Code, must have made a big blunder when he inserted the provisions on
SK.
In closing, the
15-year SK experiment should have galvanized noble members of congress
to abolish the SK because it is simply not living up to its
expectations. It has failed miserably. Instead of spending billions of
pesos to run these mock youth councils, the government should focus on
strengthening the public elementary and high schools so it could
produce better leaders than what we currently have. A government run
by cheats and incompetents is not a good model for training future
leaders. Abolish SK! Strengthen the public schools!
Press Statement of
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY Tacloban Chapter) on the
killing of Charlie Solayao
July 19, 2007
Two days right after
the implementation of the Anti-Terror Law also known as the Human
Security Act, what the militant organizations feared to occur as ATL
takes effect, made its inimical sampling and cost the life of an Urban
Poor mass leader.
On June 17, 2007 while
the Supreme Court is on its last day conducting its Human Rights
Summit, Charlie Solayao was shot right before the eyes of his wife,
Marina Solayao. Charlie Solayao, 50 years old, is the Vice-chairperson
of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) Tacloban Chapter and
Vice-Chairperson of Katig-uban Han Gudti nga Magtirinda ha Annex "B" (KAGUMA)
[Federation of Small Vendors in Annex "B"], a local small market
vendors organization. Solayao and his wife, both fish vendors, were
waiting for a passenger multicab bound for Old Road, Sagkahan in
Tacloban City, the City's fishport, to buy the fish they were going to
sell in the public market of the same city, when two (2) unidentified
men on board a single motorcycle with no plate coming from the
direction of Abucay, Tacloban City – the driver wearing a ski mask and
the passenger clad in long pants and a jacket – stopped in front of
Charlie. While the passenger was getting off the motorcycle, he
instantly shot Charlie in his body three (3) times. When the gunman
was able to get off the motorcycle, he approached the victim who
already fell to the ground and shot him again. The perpetrators left
immediately to the direction of Anibong district in Tacloban City.
Charlie's wife,
Marina, who was sitting a few meters away his husband, was not able to
react immediately. She was only able to call help from their house
when the perpetrators left. Some of their children and Charlie's
brother was able to help her rush his husband to the
Divine Word Hospital in
the same city aboard a tricycle.
Around 11:20 am on the
same day, Charlie died in the said hospital while in the Operating
Room. He was able to sustain two (2) gun shot wounds in his right arm,
another two (2) in his right sides, and two (2) in his back.
Solayao was also
confronted by his cousin, Noel Solayao, a military personnel, who is
believed to be a staff in the camp at Brgy. Palanog, Tacloban City,
came to his house on June 12, 2007 at around
11:00 am before the victim was supposed to attend a mass mobilization
in the downtown area of
Tacloban City. Noel
told the victim that if he does not lie low or stop his participation
on his organization (KADAMAY & KAGUMA) which the military linked to
the CPP-NPA, he will be killed. Noel also showed a list containing
names of suspected NPA members, in which the victim's name is included
and urged Charlie to sign a clearance purposefully to clear his name
on the list, which the victim turned down. After that incident,
Solayao told his wife that he is being hold under surveillance as
based on his observation whenever they leave their home for the
market.
Kalipunan ng Damayang
Mahihirap -Tacloban Chapter strongly condemns the assassination of
Charlie Solayao and believes that this is a case of extra judicial
killings among members of militant organizations. While Solayao's
death is deemed to be perpetrated by the elements of the Armed Forces
of the Philippines, KADAMAY strongly disproves the statement of
P/Supt. Romulo Cleve Taboso over the radio claiming that the
assassination is due to personal motive. Note that Taboso's statement
regarding "personal motive" angle on Solayao's assasination was
released prior to the investigation. Police interviewed Marina Solayao
at around 10:30, an hour after Taboso's interview.
This is but a clear
cover-up for the true perpetrators and irresponsibility on the part of
the police, the incompetency in conducting investigations which is
vital to solve this case. KADAMAY stands with the accusation to the
AFP as perpetrators of this extra-judicial killing as part of their
Oplan Bantay Laya, in its attempts to eradicate mass movements.
KADAMAY has long been maliciously linked with the CPP-NPA to
legitimize the killing of its members and leaders.
KADAMAY challenges
the PNP Tacloban to solve this case immediately and conduct a credible
and speedy investigation.
Joint Statement of the Independent
Observers in the Peace Negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP
Posted: July 15, 2007
We, the independent
observers of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) that monitors the
compliance of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP)
and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) with the
Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and
International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) came together for a meeting
held on June 29, 2007 in Los Baños, Laguna.
We shared our
respective readings of the national situation after the release of the
Alston and the Melo Commission reports and in the context of the
announced implementation on July 15, 2007 of the Human Security Act of
2007 (HSA 2007) or the anti-terror law.
We have noted that the
UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary
Executions, Mr. Philip Alston, who was invited by the GRP to visit the
Philippines, investigated the cases of extrajudicial executions and
issued a preliminary report to the effect that "many of the cases of
summary executions are largely attributed to state security forces."
We have likewise noted that the Melo Commission came out with a report
indicating that "there is circumstantial evidence to support the
proposition that some elements within or connected to the military are
responsible for the killings." Both reports note that the majority of
the victims are associated with the so-called left-wing organizations.
Despite the findings
of the Alston and Melo Reports that have been echoed by numerous other
international investigative missions that came to the country - the
killings and enforced disappearances of persons associated with the
Left and those labeled as members of "front organizations" continue to
this day.
While welcoming the
recent initiative of Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno to call for a
National Consultative Summit on Extra-Judicial Killings and Enforced
Disappearances, we view with grave concern the impending
implementation of the HSA of 2007.
We agree with the
position of Mr. Martin Scheinin, UN Special Rapporteur on the
Protection and Promotion of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
While Countering Terrorism, who urged the government to have a
"further debate which may result in the introduction of specific
amendments or repeal of the entire Act by the new Congress… since
implementation of this law could have a negative impact on human
rights in the country and undermine the rule of law."
We agree with the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) who urged the
government to review the law. Its inconsistency with the Bill of
Rights stipulated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and to the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is
worth-reflecting on.
We express our
profound concern for the safety of the personnel of the Secretariat of
the Joint Monitoring Committee of the NDFP as well as the other
consultants and resource persons nominated by the NDFP in the peace
negotiations once the HSA of 2007 takes effect as they are very
vulnerable to be labeled as communists and be subjected to attacks as
has happened to several victims of extrajudicial executions.
As observers in the
peace process, we believe that the HSA of 2007 will further prejudice
the peace negotiations or completely end the entire peace process
between the GRP and the NDFP. When this happens, the internal conflict
can only become more critical and can result in even more human rights
violations and more victims.
We, therefore, urge
the Government to indefinitely postpone the implementation of the HSA
until it can be thoroughly reviewed and possibly amended or repealed
by Congress. Finally, we once again appeal to the GRP and NDFP to go
back to the negotiating table.
The HSA of 2007 will
not offer solutions to the country's homegrown insurgencies that have
deep socio-economic and political roots in the lives of the people.
(Sgd.) BISHOP TOMAS MILLAMENA (Sgd.) MS.
MERCEDES C. DANENBERG
(Sgd.) MS. MARIE H. ENRIQUEZ (Sgd.)
MS. MARY AILEEN D. BACALSO
A challenge to the
administration of the newly-created City of Catbalogan
By TONYBOY MORALES
July
14, 2007
An mga mulopyo han
bungto han Catbalogan naghatag na hin pagtugot na an ira bungto maging
usa na nga syudad. An syudad damo it kinahanglan na himoon para maging
mas maupay hiya kontra hit iba nga mga bungto na munisipyo la it rango.
Kun baga, ha bug-os na isla han Samar an Catbalogan, Calbayog, ngan an
Borongan matindog nga mga susbaranan para hiton iba pa nga mga bungto
han Samar. Asya ito nga an pagka syudad han Catbalogan, diri la iton
pagparayaw ngan panhambog kundi an maging modelo para hit iba pa nga
mga bungto.
Sugad nga usa ka
syudad, an Catbalogan dapat manguna hini nga mga butang:
1. An "zoning" dapat
ayuson hin maupay. Only in the Philippines and particularly in
Catbalogan na makakakita ka hin beach resort beside a cemetery.
Health-wise, mangirhat ito paghunahunaon. An
usa
nga dapat kit-on hiton aton liderato ha Catbalogan an pagka-may-ada
hin alternatibo na memorial park. Guinsurungan Cemetery is jampacked
like a squatter area in Tondo. Catbalogan leaders should think bigger
and wider. Pupua, for instance, may be the next site of a new modern
Catbalogan. Its plains while good for rice farming is also good for
modern buildings and new city infrastructures. We have to accept the
fact that poblacion Catbalogan is bereft of good land area for further
expansion. What the poblacion needs is simply a makeover to make it
look nicer.
2. Sidewalks for
pedestrians. Hi MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando is adamant in reclaiming
the sidewalks of Metro Manila for pedestrians. Sidewalks are for
people and not for hawkers selling their wares. Catbalogan sidewalks
are now owned by businesses, whether legal or illegal. The mayor
should have the political will to address this concern. Kun malimpyo
an sidewalks, an mga kabataan or mga pedestrians magiging safer from
accidents.
3. General
Cleanliness. One biggest example is the public market in Catbalogan
that is so messy. An mahugaw na public market sinyales ito han mahugaw
na paninda ngan pagdumara han gobyerno. Kinahanglan la hin mas
istrikto na pagpatupad hin balaod para maging malimpyo an source hit
mga pagkaon hit mga Catbaloganons. Mabaho na mga estero, mahugaw na
mga kalsada, mga vandalized na walls, ug iba pa, kaya iton himoon na
mauru-upayda kun mayda political will and mga lider han bungto.
4. Responsive city
offices. An syudad na panhuna-huna malaksi permi it mga proseso.
Makuha ka hin birth certificate, madagmit. Makuha ka cedula, malaksi.
Makuha ka hin mayor's permit, masayon nga proseso. Makaka-obserba kita
na hit kadamo hit mga nag-uuro-istorya la hin usa na opisina, pag-request
nimo hin usa ka butang, masiring dayon na baliki la buwas. It "mamaya
na" or mañana habit dapat waraon na. Government services should be
faster, better, and smarter.
5. Peace and order.
Catbalogan is relatively peaceful compared to big cities like Manila
but there are also some spate of incidents that make Catbalogan an
unsafe place to rear kids. A peaceful place is like a magnet for
development.
5. Stir more economic
activities. A city in its name is useless when most of the people are
dying of poverty. Catbalogan's population is too dependent on the
bounties of the sea and the meager produce of the land. There should
be alternative jobs for people that would calibrate economic growth.
When the government is the biggest employer in a place, that is a
disaster. Private enterprises must be able to contribute to harness
the potentials of the people of Catbalogan. Private enterprises should
be encouraged to venture into further processing of fish and marine
products or other industrial undertakings that Catbalogan doesn't have
right now. Cash crops should be introduced to farmers. Backyard
farming, ala Green revolution, should be encouraged among unemployed
mothers so they rather tend their yard than tend to worthless things
like tsismis and showbiz.
Of course this list
is not exclusive but this should be a good start for making Catbalogan
a shining city on the hill of Samar.
Promoting proper
nutrition and healthy lifestyles among adolescents
By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July
12, 2007
We can not just sit down in our own comfort zones, knowing and
realizing that much is wanting in the Filipino adolescents’ nutrition
and lifestyles. It is the responsibility of the home, the school, the
government and all the stakeholders (including us) to make a
collective effort and do something lest we wake up one day to see that
the country is being ran by unhealthy leaders.
For one, the
adolescents must be provided with a supportive family environment
where nutritious meals are available with special attention to
nutritious breakfast. The parents must be the role models of good
nutrition and where physical activities among family members are
encouraged.
There is a need for
nutrition-friendly schools where the school canteens provide a variety
of options of nutritious but affordable meals and snacks. The schools
can help a lot in promoting safe and nutritious foods among vendors in
the vicinity of the school. The schools should integrate good
nutrition in the secondary school curriculum and conduct nutrition
assessment among the young students. Weighing scales and height charts
should be available for students to determine their weight and height
regularly. The nutritional status of adolescents is determined using
the body mass index which is computed by dividing the body weight in
kilograms by the square of the height in meters.
The school
administrators and teachers, when making the school schedules, must
ensure that students have enough time for snacks in the morning and
afternoon. They may also conduct for a, discussions, seminars on
nutrition and healthy lifestyles to increase awareness and to clarify
misconceptions about nutrition. This is also a good opportunity for
adolescents to express their ideas and opinions.
The community and
local government support for adolescent nutrition and healthy
lifestyle is also very important. To start with, the local government
must make this issue on the adolescent a priority concern. Perhaps it
would be good to provide iron supplements especially among female
adolescents. Community assemblies on proper nutrition and healthy
lifestyles must be conducted. Sports activities must be promoted.
The local lawmaking
bodies could enforce an ordinance banning children from purchasing
cigarettes and alcoholic beverages or perhaps one that would regulate
the sale of junk foods.
Engaging adolescents
in community nutrition programs such as Operation Timbang, nutrition
education, food production programs are good ways of making them
good-nutrition oriented.
The media and civil
society can also help by promoting a healthy body image of adolescents
as not being too thin but that of having normal weight. They can also
make a big difference in the lives of the adolescents by providing
correct information especially about fad diets which adolescents are
likely to experiment with.
We can think of all
the good things that every stakeholder must do to help the
adolescents, but in the end, the decision whether to listen and do
something to improve their lifestyles and nutrition, lies in the
adolescents themselves.
