Just when Filipinos were pinning their hopes that under the presidency of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, III, we would finally rid this country of corruption and poverty that have plagued us for so long, that we have been called the “Sick Man of Asia.” Indeed, there are just too many people who call themselves Filipinos who throw monkey wrenches into our development. I call these people Filipino crabs and another group are those people who want to destroy our established way of life and governance.
By this I’m referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and their allied front organizations and the Muslim separatists under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The latest threat comes from Ebrahim Murad of the MILF who boasted that he had 60,000 assorted weapons, including a weapons factory that produced rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
There is no doubt that the AFP and the PNP must neutralize this threat and disarm the MILF and find out who are the gunrunners making a hefty profit by supplying these terrorists with arms. This is no joking matter it’s time that the AFP get serious in asking for the return of the ROTC to our schools and universities so we can be sure that we’ll have enough men to stop these people from threatening our way of life.
Talking about the return of the ROTC, here’s an e-mailed response to our article seeking the return of ROTC:
“Good afternoon. I read your column about the above subject. I had observed during my trip to UE students taking NSTP in uniforms crossing streets not on the pedestrian lanes, which is a blatant violation of the law which is contrary when we were taking ROTC. As an officer of the training corps we assist in keeping peace and order in our university. The involvement and focus in passing the Officer Candidate Course after our academic classes is very effective in keeping us busy as students in making positive results of our time.
“Saturday is our drill time, making us physically fit as teenagers. Graduating from ROTC Basic (a two-year course) and advance (a four-year course) enlists us as reserve forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I hope this information will be of help to you. Thank you for your support for and belief on the importance of the ROTC course. Antonio A. Cua Jr., National Commander-President, UE ROTC Knights Inc., 2010-2012.”
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Here’s a response to a pervious article on a barrier-free tourism:
“Dear Mr. Avila, We wish to express our appreciation to your article ‘RP should push for a barrier-free tourism’ published in ‘Shooting Straight’ last Aug. 4. It is indeed a heartwarming gesture to congratulate you for such an article for promoting a barrier-free tourism for the country’s citizens with disabilities, including the elderly, pregnant women and children. Allow us therefore to give our views and additional information on the matter.
“The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), as the government’s focal agency on disability, has been working closely and coordinating with concerned agencies for the implementation nationwide of Batas Pambansa Bilang 344, otherwise known as the Accessibility Law, the statute that mandates the Department of Public Works and Highways to lead in the enforcement of the law. Basically, the law requires buildings, establishments and other related structures for public use to install accessibility features, such as ramps, grab/hand rails, washrooms and toilets, non-skid floorings, lifts/elevators, signages, cut curbs, parking slots, etc., which are intended for persons with disabilities, including the other citizens mentioned above who likewise need barrier-free facilities to enhance their mobility.
“‘Tourism for All’ has been the long battle cry of the NCDA when it was then the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP), to require operators of tourist resorts and establishments in order that their guests with disabilities could be accommodated with respect and dignity. Our advocacy efforts have been closely undertaken, especially so when the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been adopted and subsequently ratified by the Philippine government in April 15, 2008.
“Article 30 states that parties should ‘ensure that persons with disabilities have access to sporting, recreational and tourism events.’ The entire government entities and key stakeholders in this statute are henceforth obliged to take full responsibility in the implementation of this international mandate. Through your help in promoting this endeavor, we can tell the whole world that the Philippines is one of the tourist destinations for foreign visitors with disabilities which has barrier-free tourist places where they can fully enjoy. Hoping that you can continuously help us promote this campaign for disabled-friendly tourist destinations. Very Truly Yours, Mateo A. Lee Jr., officer-in-charge.”
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For e-mail responses to this article, write to vsbobita@mozcom.com or vsbobita@gmail.com. Avila’s columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.