Ben Contreras .
IT’S easier to have compassion for the poor and the oppressed than for a rich man in distress. That is why when I was told about a fact-finding gathering to talk and investigate acts committed by those in the government against the poor, I did not hesitate to go.
It’s not that their complaints are not valid. It’s just that the organizations involved are known anti-government entities from one administration to another, raising issues as if the government has not done any good for the people. It is their one-sidedness of it all that turns people off.
Simply put, it was a battle of the minds which side can capture the weakness of one’s heart the best. As always, it’s the poor folk who are most vulnerable to propaganda.
The government has its fault, too. For centuries, it has always been those in the government who wield great power to enrich themselves but so little is done for the welfare of the greater populace.
While the poor continue to crave for clean water and electricity in their homes, these basic needs have continually been denied. While they continue to dream of roads to bring their farm produce to the market, this has been neglected until today. The promises of the politicians remain just that — promises. And you expect them to be happy?
I remember Maj. Gen. Victor Felix when he was the commander at Camp Evangelista. A friend arranged a breakfast meeting with him. I asked him this: “General, how are you going to solve the insurgency problem?”
He said, “By bringing the government to the people.”
It is exactly this desperation why the poor have become vulnerable to sweet-talk.
Corruption in the government impedes many good programs that would have alleviated the life conditions of the masses that are living below poverty line.
How many government agencies are supposed to be out there, seeing to it the needs of the poor are taken care of?
I sat beside a young mother with her first child. The baby was so cute that I bought a milk-flavored lollipop for her. Her mother would become one of those to speak about the alleged wrongdoings committed against them.
I left early for another appointment. Besides, what is there to listen to? Somewhere, another group was making their voices heard in support of the government and President Duterte. So, who are we going to believe?
No government in the past until the present is perfect. But certainly, in any imperfection, there must have been good things that a government has done for the people. And certainly, too, if we keep on talking of the bad only, then the purpose becomes suspect.
They are against martial law in Mindanao and they cite alleged atrocities committed by our military. Perhaps, there are errant soldiers that should be investigated and, if found guilty, should be punished. But what about atrocities committed by the left? Would they decry the act over the death of our soldiers and policemen? Or, as in the case of bombings, the lives of civilians?
Theirs is the voice of some of the people. But I bet when a census will be conducted to get the sentiment of the Mindanaons, majority will go for the continued implementation of martial law in Mindanao.
The reaction of the people during the siege of Marawi was one good proof of how the people cared for our brothers in uniform.
The President has been calling for peace with the left. Why not just help make it a reality?
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