From The Inbox
Civilian cooperation
I believe that the cooperation of the civilian populace is very important in order for the AFP and PNP to effectively conduct their operations against all kinds of lawless elements.
Like what happened in Negros. The people cooperated with our law-enforcers to ensure the successful capture of the NPA members responsible for the recent atrocities in the province.
The support of the Negrenses will help clear the misconception that people are protecting the NPAs. There are still some who are fully aware of what is going on around them. They understand that they are part of the government's campaign in defending our national security.
The effort I hope, will pave the way for a stronger and more improved relationship between the people, the government and the law-enforcers. I hope that this will serve as a great example to others who continue to align themselves with the terrorists, communists and other lawless organizations. They must wake up to reality that these people are only using them for their own benefit.
I guess this is the perfect time to renew the spirit of oneness among Filipinos. All of us should be united and we must never encourage the NPA and other enemies of the state to use civilians for their security. The people on the other hand should stand firm and fight, if need be, for their own safety.
Let us always remember, "walang manggagamit, kung walang magpapagamit.." -- Leo David, Iloilo City
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Cultivating a culture of violence
The Communist Party of the Philippines through its recruitment agency, the National Democratic Front, is cultivating a culture of violence among the younger generations of Filipinos thus destroying the moral fiber and decent Filipino moral values which make up the character and personality of the Filipinos.
The recruitment of minors to join the New People's Army is in blatant disregard not only of the rights of the children but also of the peaceful-orientation of these individuals. Should the use of these minors for armed combat be continued by the communists, the future of the country will be dim as it will be characterized by violence and the use of force in any or all of their undertakings. After all, the youth are the future of our nation.
This matter is a very important item for each individual, whether parents, teachers, local officials or the youth themselves should be concerned about. Allowing the communists to corrupt the minds and lives of our youth could lead to the breakdown of our families, the communities and the entire nation.
The majority of the people are either unaware of the seriousness of this development or are simply indifferent to it because their families and communities appear to be unaffected by it as of now. But this is one issue which needs real, honest to goodness and immediate unity of effort among everybody in order to address it, as just like termites, such developments can silently undermine the very core of our way of living in the very near future should we remain apathetic.
As Maj. Gen. Jovenal Narcise, Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army puts it, "it's time we get our acts together. If our countrymen are asking themselves what they can do for their country, they can start here, in their families and communities. Watch your children and ensure they stay in school and are not blinded by drugs or by the equally destructive lies of the communists." -- Capt. Cromwell Danganan, OIC, 3rd Civil Military Operations Unit, Philippine Army, Camp Delgado, Iloilo City