Newfound respect

Churchill Aguilar

IN these trying times in Mindanao, I would have to say that I got this newfound respect for our President–not on his tough talk and misplaced arrogance but on his humility to accept his weakness and his ability to rise above his ego when the welfare of the people are at stake.

First, I would like to commend him for openly apologizing to the people of Marawi City. While the evils of this war against terrorism solely lie on the hands of the Isis, Du30’s arrogance on the onset of war had somehow escalated the commitment of the Maute to spread havoc in our land.

It would not have been an issue if his tough talk were strongly backed by a well-trained and highly advanced Armed Forces but the fact that it’s been a month now and despite putting the land under martial law, they are yet to successfully flush the bandits out of Marawi. This shows that our enemies had been grossly underestimated and that we have wrongly assessed their resilience in this war. So indeed an apology to those directly affected is very much due and our President just did that.

Second, it was a good move for the President to resusitate strategic ties with the US and finally ally with the right country who has the commitment to protect democracy and in a way protect us Filipinos as well. It must have been very difficult for Du30 to swallow his pride and change his diplomatic tone after realizing that his new allies, Russia and China, are not really that eager to help us when we need help. And so, he humbled himself in seeking and accepting military assistance from the US, again all in the name of the Filipino people.

Third, his concept of martial law is very much pro-civilian. While he may have jokingly gave immunity to the uniformed men in whatever crime they can commit under martial law, there was hardly any news that shows abuse of power from the police and military. Our uniformed men only showed heroism and dedication to ensure our safety and security. For that I am truly thankful. Our PNP and AFP are indeed heroes.

So yes, in these trying times Du30 has proven to be a leader who can rise above the occasion. But this crisis should not be forgotten without its lessons. And one of it is that the manner of how the leader conducts himself and expresses  his stand have great bearings in the lives of millions of people. It may even mean life and death to the whole city or region. Therefore, it would always be best to be calculating at all times.

That said, I do have this newfound respect for Digong, and I call on all anti-Du30s to support him this time in all his moves to restore peace in Mindanao.