New Year’s Tribulation

In such a chaotic country like ours where everyone seems to be making their own laws, how can we ever achieve “gun control”?

The fatal incident that happened almost a month ago in Sandy Hook Elementary School, USA has haunted our own shores. Last week a drug-fuelled and crazy drunkard went on a shooting rampage in his community in Cavite. While the people in the area were trying to get a hold of the police, not a single one showed up causing more havoc and disorder in the neighborhood. Where were the policemen then? Were they off duty? They finally arrived hours later in the already bloody crime scene.

Since the New Year arrived we have had a series of gun-related violence. On New Year’s Eve, Stephanie Nicole Ella, a seven-year old girl died due to a stray bullet from the midnight firework madness in Caloocan City. On January 2, a San Pablo City councilor and his bodyguard were ambushed. On January 4, nine were killed and eight were wounded in the Cavite killing rampage. And the list goes on. Sanamagan!

It is a wishful thought to hope that gun salesmen change their minds and sell other merchandise instead. Or maybe the government can have tougher laws on the sale of firearms. Any lunatic can buy a gun and start shooting. Life is cheap in an environment where safety and security is not a top priority. If it were, then, we would have already seen the difference.

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As we accounted for all those who were hurt by fireworks during the New Year reverie, I pondered on the role government played in this frenzy. First of all, if we are dead serious on safety then why did the DTI allow importation of fireworks from China or Taiwan? Were all those imported fireworks illegally shipped? Secondly, we seem to be making rules about what fireworks are dangerous and illegal but we continue to allow our local firework manufacturers to produce these hazardous items. Once and for all, can we get things straight and come up with a stronger policy on the legality of fireworks? Why not just let every city sponsor a firework show and totally stop the sale of fireworks? Remember, aside from polluting our islands, fireworks are as dangerous as guns.

The PNP estimate shows that there are around 552,000 loose firearms in the country. Some of these firearms could be in the hands of ex-military men who continue to flaunt their wares to keep their bravado intact and cast fear to many people in their communities. I thought once discharged from official duties firearms are surrendered? But then again anyone can buy a gun in this country so what am I talking about.

The midyear election which is just a few months away will surely bring us more gun-related tragedies. Do you really think that the gun ban will be taken seriously? History tells us otherwise. I cannot forget a story of four children who were orphaned on the eve of Election Day some years ago. The parents were ambushed by political opponents who were never ever arrested. The sad thing is that we have many similar stories of this nature all over the Philippines — many of them unaccounted and unreported.  Susmariosep!

Let’s hope this New Year’s tribulation will bring us a strong message that change must happen in our society.

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Last week, I posed the question, “Is Jose Rizal a national hero?” My objective was to call the attention of the National Historical Commission to correct the facts in our history books especially those that are being used in schools so that we can have well-versed and well-informed citizens who can talk about the history of the country even with eyes closed. If Thailand, Vietnam and our Asian neighbors can do it, why can’t we?

Heroes play a significant role in our country’s history. What makes one a hero? They say that a hero is somebody who, no matter what the odds are, will fight to do what is right. Bravery is usually the most significant trait of a hero. A hero can be an idealist or a realist.

Some historians believe that between Rizal and Bonifacio, Rizal was the realist and Bonifacio the idealist. Rizal was more practical in his fight against the Spaniards. He appealed to reason and justice with the use of his pen when he challenged the Spaniards through his writings Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Bonifacio chose to rise in arms despite the fact that he did not have the resources, ammunitions and all to win the fight.

As a matter of fact, when the United States took over our country while our forefathers were still savoring that elusive dawn, the new rulers had to choose for our national hero between Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. They chose Rizal because they believed that he was a man of peace while Bonifacio, because of his violent nature might start another revolution, this time against them.

Clearly there was treachery and deception between Bonifacio and Aguinaldo as they plunged their way to martyrdom. The recently produced movie, El Presidente, one of the eight entries in the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival shows the rift between the two heroes. El Presidente gives you a bird’s eye view of General Emilio Aguinaldo’s version of history while Supremo (not an MMFF entry) is a story showing Bonifacio’s side.

In our history books, we learned that Bonifacio was the founder of the Katipunan that ignited the revolution in 1896 which freed us from Spanish rule after more than three centuries of oppression. He is considered one of our heroes. However, his military record was not as impressive as the former school teacher from Kawit who later became a general, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

What happened to Bonifacio despite his honest and courageous patriotism is a timely reminder to us that politics in our country has not really changed since those days. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t resent Aguinaldo for his persistence, his own kind of bravery and accomplishments. Ironically, he too was captured by America’s General Frederick Funston because some Filipinos betrayed him and collaborated in the deception which resulted to his being seized in Palanan. So, what else is new?

So much has been written on these Filipino heroes. But the past should just go into our history books to inspire us. Today, we need a new breed of heroes. We need new heroes who can save the Philippines and bring it back to its glory days. And to borrow the words of Mariah Carey: When you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong, and you’ll finally see the truth — that a hero lies in you!

Yes, this may be corny but we need to start looking inside our hearts!