Americans are coming

While the Americans and the British, with all of their awesome firepower, have not yet killed or captured Osama bin Laden or annihilated the Al Qaeda terrorist center in Afghanistan, our own Armed Forces of the Philippines have not yet succeeded in putting an end to the heinous activities – raping, beheading, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking – of the Abu Sayyaf. This only demonstrates how difficult it is, not only for the AFP but also for the global forces, to go after the international terrorists.

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Step by step, slowly but surely, the AFP is certainly making headway in the war against the Abu Sayyaf. Last Sunday, for instance, our soldiers were able to free four hostages, who have long been held by the Abu Sayyaf from captivity. Earlier, several other hostages were also able to escape from the Abu Sayyaf, thanks to the pressure exerted by the AFP.

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This development should spur and inspire the armed forces to heighten their efforts in pulverizing the Abu Sayyaf. It has proven that the terrorist group, which is associated with Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, can be defeated. The Abu Sayyaf latest setback is a welcome sign that we are about to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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The forthcoming arrival of American military advisers, to assist the AFP in the war against terrorism, is another development that will hearten a great majority of our people. While left-leaning groups are expected to create a lot of noise over the entry of the Americans in Philippine soil, the leftists’ numbers will be puny, and their sound and fury can easily be overwhelmed by the pro-American stance of most Filipinos insofar as the war against terrorism is concerned.

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This and the November visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the United States, for a one-on-one meeting with President Bush, herald a new development in Philippine-American relations. The Philippine government’s decision to close down the US military bases in the Philippines had thawed Fil-Am friendship. Now, expect a second bloom of closer relationship between the two governments.

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The Senate marks today its 85th founding anniversary, to be highlighted by a testimonial dinner for past and incumbent senators. President Arroyo, herself a former senator, is the guest of honor. Before the Manila Peninsula rites, a brass marker will be unveiled in the Senate building, memorializing the members of the Senate.

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Concerned citizens hope that today’s Senate will be able to live up to its old reputation as a most revered national institution. As Senate President Franklin Drilon said, the Senate is "living proof of the Filipino people’s resolve and capability for democratic government." He noted that in 1916, when the Senate was established, it was perceived as a "test of and a preparation for eventual independence."

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Remember Noel P. Garcia who, after graduating from the UERM School of Medicine in 1991 and passing the medical board exam, decided to give up the practice of the medical profession and joined the Oblates religious order? Bro. Noel was eventually assigned by his superiors to administer the Notre Dame of Sibutu in the town of Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi, at the southernmost tip of Southern Philippines.

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Several years ago, I initiated a campaign to gather medicines which Bro. Noel could use in a small clinic that he set up to serve the basic medical needs of the Muslim Filipinos in Sibutu. Through the help of the Philippine Air Force, cartons of medicines were flown to Zamboanga City where they were ferried to Sibutu via kumpits in the roughest seas in the archipelago. Other medical equipment, donated by many Good Samaritans and doctors, were also sent to Bro. Noel.

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I have just received a letter from Bro. Noel, after a lapse of more than one year. He still administers Notre Dame, and his job entails so much time, which explains why he has not been able to correspond earlier. And the seas are so rough he seldom has the chance to travel via the lancha.

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In his letter, Bro. Noel asked if the Good Samaritan Foundation could get for him a battery-operated nebulizer. This equipment is badly needed by the children who are always afflicted with bronchitis and asthma. Bro. Noel also asked if reference books on mathematics, science, history and English and encyclopedia could be donated for the use of the school library. The encyclopedia that the school is currently using is vintage 1969.

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In the meantime, the Good Samaritan Foundation recently extended assistance to the following indigent beneficiaries:

* Dolores Santiago, who has a spinal column injury, P3,400 for her physical therapy sessions at St. Camillus Polyclinic

* Brian Carl Lucasan of Cavite City, a 9-year-old boy with a kidney disorder, P3,000 for his medicines

* Arnold Balais, an amputee, P2,000 for his basic needs

* Sheryl Rose Dira, P4,800 for her physical therapy sessions at the Excel Fitness Center

* Ernesto Jazmin of Sorsogon, the boy whose two arms were amputated due to a vehicular accident but who can operate a computer with his toes, P2,000 for his school expenses.

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Do not ever think that life’s daily hassles can only be found in Metro Manila. According to Leon A. Jouet of Tunga, Leyte, the people’s life there is much more miserable, insofar as their electric supply is concerned. Electric rates charged by LEYECO III are very high, 10 to 12 hour-brownouts occur everyday, and these come without any warning, he said.

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Jouet added that since the place’s water supply is low, electric water pumps have to be used, thus increasing the electric bill. And LEYECO III is quite cruel, he said, because it immediately cuts off electric supply if the subscriber fails to pay on time. Jouet wonders if the authorities concerned can do something to ease the daily hassles in their lives.

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PULSEBEAT: In a recent issue of Newsweek, the Philippines is described as a "tiny democratic country" having all the key major connections with the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio’s major newspaper, commented on this by saying that American President Bush vowed to help the Philippines "wipe out all the current terroristic activities in the Philippines" within the foreseeable future… Former Civil Service Commission chairperson Corazon Alma de Leon is launching her new book, Heart & Soul 3, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of retired Pasay City Assessor Rogaciano de Leon Sr. Guest speaker is Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. Launching date is Oct. 26, Friday,10 a.m., at the Philippine Mental Health Association, East Ave., Quezon City… Jose Andre Mapa Achacoco is a concerned citizen who is inviting other well-meaning people to join the KIDLAT movement organized by former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr.

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Thoughts For Today:

Walk with Jesus when your heart needs company.
Take His hand when you feel alone.
Turn to Him when you need someone to lean on.
He’s a friend you can always depend on.

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The sun promises a beautiful day,
yet sometimes it fails.
But God promises a bountiful life,
and He never fails.

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My e-mail address: <[email protected].>