Knowing the threat of assassination awaited her in coming back from exile, Benazir bit the bullet and sparked fresh political tension. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City
The Philippines lost a friend and ally with the death of Bhutto. – Mike Manalastas, Manila
A tragic loss
She was a very charismatic and courageous woman. Her assassination reminds me of JFK. Both were great leaders. – E.C. Deveza, Quezon Province
I am an admirer of the great leader, Benazir Bhutto, who inherited the qualities of her famous father. – C. Manalastas, Manila
She knew the risks but she was a courageous and charismatic leader who didn’t allow enemies to bully and intimidate her. Assassinating her was their only recourse. – L.C. Fiel, Quezon City
Benazir Bhutto, one of a few recognizable women political leaders in the world, and a true leader who put country above self, will be missed the world over. Despite her charisma and brilliance, not to mention a God-given Venus-like physique and face, she remained a humble icon of the feminine gender to the end. What a great tragedy to the human race. – Elpidio Que, Vigan
Parallelisms with Ninoy
Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto is like our own Ninoy Aquino, who came home only to be assassinated, but their legacy as fighters will be remembered. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City
Benazir could be the Ninoy of Pakistan. Her assassination may lead to people power. I pray that Pakistan, as soon as freedom is regained, will go straight as a corrupt-free and a strong republic, unlike the Philippines, which never learned to shape up. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City
It was Adolf Hitler who once said that there’s no proof against a suicide-assassin. I see a consequent parallel Bhutto-Ninoy here. – Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City
She was a very courageous woman worthy of emulation, a heroine in the mold of Ninoy Aquino, et. al. Musharraf must be held responsible. – P. Alagano Sr., Vigan
Bhutto’s assassination is Pakistan’s version of Ninoy’s martyrdom. Expect civil unrest that will lead to the downfall of Musharraf. – A. Guevarra, Isabela
Some people never learn. They lie, steal, cheat and even kill to stay in power. Like Ninoy, Bhutto is a victim of despotism. – Nina Say, Zamboanga City
It’s the same case as Ninoy Aquino’s murder. The killing of Bhutto won’t change the corruption and abuses of those in power there. I just hope that Pinoys don’t get to that level of fanaticism and suicide bombing as the Pakistanis, no matter how corrupt our politicians are. – Ed Alawi, Davao City
It is the same pattern as the assassination of Ninoy Aquino used by a political opponent to thwart threats on the leadership . – June Deoferio, Taguig City
Benazir Bhutto, loosely similar to Benigno Aquino, got so tired of a life in exile, that she, like him, came home to her country, against advice, to risk death the way she wanted it to happen. Like him, she had a ready culprit to pin the blame on for her death and to be later on declared a martyr of sorts. – J. Pacatang, Dipolog City
Benazir Bhutto is Pakistan’s counterpart of our own Ninoy. Like him, no amount of threats stopped her from coming back to serve her people. She saw it coming, yet she remained strong. She was great. – Imee Aglibot, Rizal
Bhutto’s assasination could trigger a People Power. Like Ninoy, she was killed after spending years abroad in exile. She sent an email to CNN holding Musharraf responsible if ever she is killed. Ninoy expected to die a martyr when he boarded the plane to Manila. A case of history repeating itself? - C. K. Yeo, Iloilo City
More like Cory
Benazir Bhutto was killed by a fanatic. Like Cory, she was put in power by people power. Like Cory, her government was tainted with corruption (“Kamag-anak, Inc.”). Like Cory, she also had a loved one killed by a ruling dictator. Unlike Cory, she was martyred. – Sheldon Calupitan, Quezon City
She got in the way
The US prefers domesticated Musharraf in Pakistan by all means. Bhutto was a pain in the neck. – G.M. Caguioa, Dagupan City
Bhutto critics knew that they couldn’t win via the ballot box. Assassinating Bhutto and creating instability was the only way they could seize power. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City
No big deal. She was fair game. Such are the hazards of politics. – N. Campaner, Tacloban City
It is because of greed and lust for power that one loses his sanity and murder. That’s what happened to Benazir Bhutto, a victim of senseless killing. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan
Bringing Pakistan to chaos was the ultimate goal of whoever it was that masterminded the assassination of Bhutto. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City
Bhutto’s saga has a very thick plot. There were some stars in the fallout. – Fred Caguioa, Dagupan City
A work of pure evil in a society that’s too insecure of educated women in politics. – Ding Vitug, Taytay
Gruesome and brutal. That’s usually the fate suffered by the political opposition in Pakistan under a military ruler. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City
Benazir Bhutto was a strong woman who stood firm on her ideals and principles. She had the charisma of a good leader. But as everybody knows, in every august seat of power, what you think is right for all, is wrong for some. - Rizalina Reyes, Las Pinas City
Taken to the extreme
Like in other parts of the world, fanaticism claims so many innocent lives. – Ric Vergara, Calamba
Extremism is the fad in those parts of the world. Thank God Filipinos will never go to that extent. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s death has been linked to al-Qaeda, whose suicide bombing is next to impossible to stop. If a soldier does not care whether he lives or not, it is easy for him to accomplish his objective, like the Japanese Kamikaze planes that sunk tens of American warships. We have our local share of al-Qaedas, and suicide bombers can become a nightmare overnight. - Robert Young Jr., San Juan
A carnage, done by wild and cowardly fanatics. – Gerry del Cano, Tarlac
Benazir Bhutto’s assassination is a gory example of political greed and militant extremism. Benazir is dead but her legacy as an icon of democracy remains. – Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan
Bhutto’s assassination should serve as a wake-up call for us to be more vigilant against terrorism. – Dino Monzon, Caloocan City
Nobody can stop a determined terrorist in killing a leader whose ideals differ with theirs like Benazir Bhutto. – Col Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City
The root of evil
It was a case of differences in opinion and doctrines among organized groups, religious and political, made worse by personal interests, just like what happened in Pakistan and in RP, the result of too much greed. We are never satisfied. If only we could practice “self-denial”. – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan
None of our business
Thoughts? It is an internal problem. Let us leave it that way and hope the Pakistani government solves it swiftly. – Ferdinand Pico, Pangasinan
GMA better watch out
If GMA does not solve the problem of the journalists’ and activists’ missing and killings, we risk having a similar case as Bhutto. – Rency Santos, Rizal
I was shocked as I read Phil. STAR’s headline of Benazir Bhutto’s death. Nobody is safe anymore. GMA is lucky we have no suicide bombers. – G. Calupitan, Quezon City
Lesson to be learned
Bhutto’s plan to return to power caused her death, a manifestation that hunger for power is dangerous. Political power is addictive. – Leonard Villa, Laoag City
Danger always lurks on any person seeking the leadership of a country that teems with fanatics. – Dr. Manolo Cristi, Quezon City
She should’ve been more careful after the failed October attempt. It’s a rare case of “death by sunroof”. – Noel Navales, Antipolo
An era of violence
Bhutto’s slaying underscored that the world is fast succumbing to violent ways of political maneuvers or promoting an advocacy or cause. The “Gandhian” non-violent approach is now passé as violent political conflicts are raging everywhere in the world. – William Gonzaga, Marikina City
A blow to democracy
The murder of Benazir Bhutto has dealt democracy a big blow in the whole region of the Middle East and the subcontinent. Her stature is irreplaceable in the Islamic world – a woman of great courage and daring. It was an unfortunate tragedy for those people in Pakistan whose aspirations are for the full return of true democracy in their country. – I. Calata, Parañaque City
Her assassins were successful on their second attempt. Democracy in Pakistan is in peril of giving way to anarchy. – Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City
The assassination of a popular people’s leader in Pakistan is another insidious crime against the sublime fight for democracy in this part of the world. This is the brute prize for being a freedom fighter, which Benazir Bhutto was courageously until her death. We condemn this act of crime in the strongest terms possible. The fight for genuine democracy in Pakistan lives on, however. – Ludwig Aguinaldo, Digos City
Worse than assassination
Character assassination is daily bread and butter we read everyday and is as ‘fatal’ as a suicide bomb attack. – Dr. Hiram Tiburcio, Lapulapu City
THINKING OUT LOUD
Your headline says: “If Erap can run, so can FVR.” Poor Philippines, wala na ba tayong mapipiling matitinong lider sa panahong ito? – Ric Vergara, Calamba
WOE TO RP
If one presidentiable will promise to abolished the Evat, reduced power and water rates and food prices, I will vote for him. Pero wala! – R. Santos, Isabela
THE WAY I SEE IT
Assassination comes with the trade, being a politician. I just wonder why Pinoy politicians don’t get it wholesale. – Joel Caluag, Bulacan
Okay, so FVR can run. But when he was the President, instead of doing his homework, he embarked on a world tour! – Coty Parco, Aklan
The opposition criticizes the administration for perceived corruption but pushes a convicted grafter to run for 2010. – Ferdie Rafer, Bacoor
The contorted explanation of Malacañang on why Jalosjos must not be freed should have been done before, not after, the horse had left the stable. Had they done their homework pre release, the skepticism post-release could have been avoided and they would not have been so laughable. – W.J. Garcia, Quezon City
If Erap and FVR could run, they’d go for each other throats. There’s true hatred there. – Andy Tan, Manila
Reps. Santiago and Teodoro would do well to also include tricycles in House Bill 3080. They are road hazards. – Joel Caluag, Bulacan
REACTIONS
To Mr. Rey Austria: The Catholic church owns much land? Where? In the province of King Neptune? That was only during Rizal’s time! – Luis Lesaca, Quirino
To J. Arquiza: Don’t be narrow-minded, I’m talking about the happiness we feel when there is someone who genuinely cares for us. It’s hard to find that nowadays. – M. Flores, Caloocan City
To C. Manalastas: You are definitely wrong. With the negative approval rating of GMA, most Filipinos want her to resign. – Leonard Villa, Laoag City
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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