Despite Everything.......

Despite the war in Marawi, the martial law in Mindanao and the drug war of Duterte in the Philippines, I feel the country is safer these days specially in Mindanao because of a strong military presence in the area, and the fear of the consequences of punishments when caught. This is not to say there are no crimes in the city. In fact a middle aged lady, a rental collector, a kin of the Gutierez family was killed only yesterday. The sad thing is, most of the tenants in the vicinity think that it was due her because she had been a strict, hard-hearted landlady. She padlocked houses that were remissed with their payments.The gunman was not caught, nobody knew who it was. This woman had plenty of Christians and Muslims tenants, but even few Christians sympathize with the victim. Such is the mentality of many people here in the Philippines. Law and order does not matter at all.

Let me share a penny of my thoughts: I do not approve of extra judicial killings. I think many cops tend to be abusive and corrupt. Sad but true but most are indifferent to this matter as long as it works faster and better. It is because since time immemorial, all previous governments and its higher offices sucked and feasted on the country's coffer. There was no pride to be honest and patriotic. Everybody from the high ups to the lowly wanted to have a part of the loot. This corrupt system has been here ever since. It goes from bad to worst. Everybody just wants to become rich quickly. So, when Duterte surfaced, many seemed happy for a change, not knowing that one day many of them will have to meet their adversaries which are really their own shadows face to face. Duterte is not a cure all, but at least we have one president that cares for this country. He has been elected by the people. I voted for him too and I will pray for him. He needs a lot of our prayers though because he is rowdy and not too bright. But what had all the brilliant presidents done to this country?! I pray the Lord enlightens him in his governance and fight against drug and corruption. I pray for more honest and good people to help him. I pray that the Lord guides him to steer better this country for the common good of the people.