FF support, 3rd blizzard

If only to further prove that our Freedom Force concept has traveled the land here and swept over the seas to almost all Filipino communities abroad, we are publishing a third wave of letters. Not in all the years I have been writing this column for The STAR, now on its 13th year, has a concept of this author touched the hearts and minds of so many. Maybe it’s the times. Almost six decades after World War II, a floundering Philippines finds itself close to the edge the cliff. Maybe a new and much younger, braver, more educated breed of Filipinos have cast away the indifference of their elders, and now harken to the hoot of history’s locomotive headed for better times. Maybe, it’s the poverty that really gets everybody’s conscience. In the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, we are a nation "half slave and half free" and we have to burst chains. Can we?

And so we listen again. The most encouraging missive comes from an old friend, Ophie Bakker, moving spirit if not the spearhead of the organized Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with a membership of about six-seven million. They will hold a summit in Metro Manila next month, so I am informed, or very soon.

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Ophie Bakker (from the Netherlands): "We have been reading about your Freedom Force and we are so excited. More and more, we are convinced about it, please carry on you have our support and we feel a lot of our countrymen do all over the world. You can be sure of that, Teddy! Merging our two forces (OFWs and Freedom Force) will strengthen us in the resolve. The OFWs cannot be taken for granted anymore, not anymore at this point in time and merging both will also strengthen our following. So here we come, Beloved Philippines! Overseas Filipinos worldwide OFWs, Merge with Freedom Force! Kindly tell us more about your group and some more things which we should know soonest. This way we can talk about what to do." (TCB response: All in good time, dear Ophie, as the days go by, you will get more and more information about Freedom Force.)

Jose Umali (President, Quezon Chapter, Calabarzon OFW Organization, Riyadh, KSA): "I would like to inform you we are one with you for a "shadow government" that is responsive and truly democratic in alliance with the sublime goals of the Freedom Force and OFW empowerment groups . . . What we need is a revolutionary tactic to overhaul the superstructure that supports the evils ingrained in the moral fiber of our society. We do not need armchair ideologues but ordinary men to guard the excesses of democratic privileges."

Eddie del Rosario (OFW, United States): "Indios Bravos ay kumikilos na upang maitulak ang malawakang reforma sa ating gobyerno at inang bayan, isang pagbabago na walang halong dahas o pag-iimbot. Pagbabago na mapagpasaya ng mga tao lalo na sa mga batang Filipino. Mabuhay ang Freedom Force!"

Romulus Brines (New York, USA): ". . . Please e-mail me the Freedom Force texts that I could forward to our friends who are also dedicated to what they can do to help our country in distress. We need a new breed of leaders like the kind of those who govern the country of Singapore. We are bigger in size than that country but they are very far ahead of us. What can we do here in New York to help your "CRY FOR FREEDOM"? (TCB response: A lot, Romy, just wait).

Mr. Gozon (Valenzuela City): "I agree with you 100 percent. Filipino politicians are crook politicians forever. I love the likes of Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and Mahathir of Malaysia and South Korean politicians. Nakakahiya maging Pilipino talaga! Thank you Mr. Benigno for your wonderful columns in The STAR. We need Freedom Force to force out the crooks and the criminals!"

Emmylou Detangco Bendanillo (address unknown): "How can Sen. Blas Ople possibly represent us to the International Community when his heart doesn’t beat for the Filipinos? . . . Also, I’d like to express my favor for Freedom Force. The social eruption will happen in the not so distant future unless something is done. In fact, now it slowly unravels. Thanks for being so strong enough to write fiery opinions. With it, our citizenry are made aware to what is happening to our nation. . . I admired you even more when a priest-friend of mine who was assigned to Makati before told me you had been bribed countless times but as expected you turned them down."

Mike Eliot (address unknown): "Your description of the "unmoved and unstirred" Filipino in the face of our politicians’ consuming interest in money . . . and life and death power over the mass of the poor and helpless people makes me afraid that I may not have to welcome after all the benefits of the proposed dual citizenship law. Your writings evince values like the character in the movie hit ‘Spiderman’ in political terms of course. If you continue to use your talent to advance your responsibility to the Filipino people as a journalist, the country may yet be saved. Congratulations."

Alex G. Nakpil (INKC Manila Corp): "I wish we could all support GMA so that we can move on. If we continue to undermine her administration, then we will really get to the Banana Republic . . . I do not like the Punos and the Oples but if this is part of her objective of reaching to the other side then so be it. Why make a fuss out of nothing." (TCB response: What you say is similar to President Estrada’s reaching out and allowing Marcos’ remains to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The result was that anti-Marcos Filipinos threatened to pour into the streets and block the funeral procession of the dictator. The issue is really that of morality. Civil society groups like the Copa believe opening the door to Ople and the Punos is tantamount to accepting back the evil remnants of Marcos and Estrada. The latter retreated on the issue of Marcos burial at the Libingan. I am sure GMA will do the same thing).

Richard Yapjoco (Tustin, Canada): "It’s sad we really had to leave he country because of all the bad things happening like corruption, bahala na attitude, utang na loob, et. All these bad traits coming from Spanish influence. Just take a look at former Spanish colonies. We have a big Filipino group here and we discuss these things on a weekly basis, including helping our fellow kababayans. Keep up the good work and let’s hope something good will happen."

Ildefonso Amador (48 Beauvoir Ave. Summit, New Jersey): "Freedom Force when realized and implemented by the Philippine citizenry will be the basic key to all the kinds of reforms that are badly needed by our country. Freedom Force I believe is not affiliated to any traditional political parties . . . As you have said, or country is within a time bomb. Freedom Force is the solution and remember to save us from the hell of a near Armaggedon. Teddy, I suggest we should reach out to the hearts and minds of the masses by making them understand the simplicity of the concept of Freedom Force. The best ammo we only have is the power of the pen against the sword. This is the very reason why Jose Rizal and Ninoy Aquino were killed. We can continue their fights through Freedom Force. God bless you Teddy."

Ramon Mayuga (Essen, Federal Republic of Germany): "Politics in the Philippines has become degenerate and personal. There is no sense of noblesse oblige and every criticism is considered a personal affront. President Arroyo once again displayed her bitterness and clear lack of political savvy when she called Mr. Pastor Saycon a ‘termite,’ a word unbecoming of a president and a lady." (TCB response: As a friend of mine pithily said the president uses a cannonball to kill a mosquito, then juts her jaw forward for everybody to bash).

Andrew Go (address unknown): "I truly admire your writing skills and your accuracy in using historical facts and philosophical ideas as metaphor in relation to today’s events. To the main point of this message. I personally believe you need a website and I am prepared to make you one. The cost: nothing to you. The fine print: You will allow me to sell advertising space on the site. This is how I will make up for expenses (TCB response: Good idea, let me think about it).

Arnel Inocando (GK-Sports program head): "Freedom Force is like a snowball and that will turn into a mighty rampaging avalanche that will finally cover the filth of graft and corruption that have enslaved and hampered the Filipinos in attaining their full potentials. Your three part series is reverberating across the land and will prove once again that ‘the pen is mightier’ then the sword. Ninoy said: If they don’t listen now, they shall reap the whirlwind. So be it."

Rene S. Cruz (OFW, Saudi): "There is still hope . . . What we need to realize is by organizing our acts together from top to bottom and address the main problems of our country (Security, Agriculture, Community Development, Health, Education), do you have anybody in mind? Whom do you recommend to lead our country to progress and development, a competent and nationalistic leader for 2004." (TCB response: I don’t see anybody right now that comes up to your standards).

Hansen Sy (Singapore) "I’ve been working in Singapore a year now as an engineer, 28 years old. Do you think there is hope that in my lifetime something would happen? This is what my Filipino friends here and back home have always wondered about. Filipino-French revolution version?"

Jbart (address unknown): "What our country needs are the ideals of past heroes, honesty, decision and love for the Filipino people and country. The handwriting is already on the wall. Mr. Benigno, you may just be a voice in the wilderness right now, however, your voice can now be heard by others from afar."

Renny Respola, Operations Mgr., Asia Pacific Ltd., Shenkou, Zshenzhen, China: "I am one of the hundreds of OFWs in China that support Freedom Force. We want to know in what capacity we can contribute. Since the Marcos era, our political leaders not only failed us but sank us deeper into political decay and disunity and helplessness."

Robert (no address): "I just want you to know that I and my family really support your crusade for a better Philippines. Count me as a volunteer."

Chuck Olivas (address unknown): "You were wrong when you said that for the first time in our history, we are bereft of political nobility. May I remind you that we still have one great nobility existing in this chaotic period and it’s you — Teddy Benigno. Keep on writing and inspiring us."