Terror in the streets: We will survive

It was nearly lunchtime when two bombs ripped mercilessly through busy downtown Zamboanga last Thursday on what could only be described by authorities as a terrorist attack. Then early morning of Friday, two grenades were found on a flyover at Ayala Avenue in Makati. In the same day, reports also said that a bomb with the power to destroy a whole building was discovered in one public bus that ply provincial routes. All these were just days apart next to the bombing of a resort island in Bali, Indonesia. Today, the whole country is in a state of anxiety. Paranoia is spreading like wildfire. Everything from bags to gift-wrapped packages are believed to be home-made explosives. The country is in a panic situation. Needless to say, at this point, we have to live and breathe caution. Apparently, terrorists have so far been successful in making all of us cower in fear.

We should not, however, let these terrorists succeed. I know it is easier said than done considering what had happened and what might happen. There are fears that Metro Manila may be the second target. No one knows for sure. Nonetheless, like all other nations fighting terrorism, we all have to be determined to survive and win.

Many countries have survived similarly backbreaking conditions. Like this friend of mine born in Beirut, who, a little over 20 years ago, left war-torn Lebanon for the prospect of living and working in the United States. He finally settled in New York. Providentially, I suppose, he left New York City shortly before 9-11 to go back to Beirut. He could not believe his eyes. Children were in the open streets, playing and having fun — something no child could do at "sniper-capital" Beirut not so long ago. Foreign businesses are now sprouting like mushrooms in most key cities of Lebanon. Beirut, in particular, is fast coming back to its old glory as the Paris of the Middle East. After its near-death experience, so to speak, Lebanon is now on the verge of a virtual resurrection.

Cambodia is another country fast rising from near extinction. During the 70s, the communist Khmer Rouge took over the seat of government and plunged Cambodia into a very bloody civil war. There was looting and rioting as key cities were being bombed everyday. Needless to say, you step into Cambodia and all you will see was death and destruction. Today, Ankor Vat is a prime tourist destination with roughly two million visitors a year. After it became part of the ASEAN in 1999, economic reforms pegged the country’s GDP growth to 5.5 percent.

I don’t even have to comment on the carnage that happened in Vietnam. After all the destruction, it’s unbelievable that a country ravaged by war would ever get out of the socio-economic ICU. But it did. Today, Vietnam is rapidly heading towards progress, enjoying relative growth rates since the signing of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Agreement in 2001.

Thailand’s problems are almost the same as that of the Philippines. The Thais know what it was like to go through a coup d’état, which happened in the 70s. There was also graft and corruption in government, which they were able to minimize in no time at all. They bore the constant sting of guerilla raids on government institutions. In fact, during that time, Thailand was in pretty bad shape. The Philippines was way ahead in terms of socio-economic standing in the region.

But today, we see a different Thailand. Over a decade ago, both countries had approximately 60 million inhabitants. Because of the initial steps taken by a man named Mechai Viravaidya, the country was able to put together guidelines to control their population level. Because of this program, Thailand, at present, is a booming economy with more than enough resources to support free education and a whole list of basic services. Tourism in Thailand is still, by far, the number one dollar earning industry in the country with almost seven million tourists a year. Advanced agricultural technology has made it a net exporter of rice.

No doubt the Philippines is suffering from a long string of problems ranging from too much politics, a down-spiraling economy, to a peace and order condition that’s close to being a war zone. Terrorism is very much alive in the Philippines like in most countries. Things may even get worse. Despite the country’s condition, we are not yet in the ICU. We can begin by following doctor’s prescription to be determined to live come what may.

I am inclined to believe (I know a number of people who share my point of view) that our country’s problems are solvable. In fact, foreign analysts time and again have said the Philippines has so much potential. It’s really just a matter of getting our act together. Despite the terror that is gripping our country at the moment, there are people who are quietly doing something to help the country move forward, like a group of prominent businessmen who have reinvented themselves to become part of the solution rather than the problem. There are also Filipinos who have decided to give up their high-paying jobs abroad so they could contribute their time and expertise during this difficult period. One such person is the son-in-law of a friend of mine who chose to work for the government despite the small pay. This is the kind of patriotism we need today because action will always speak louder than words.

We could call these people perennial optimists. They, including myself, believe that one day, we will overcome these difficulties – hopefully, during our lifetime. If once terror-stricken nations like Lebanon, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand have made it though the eye of the needle, so too will the Philippines. Like the ominous storm that comes and goes in season, all these problems will come to pass. We will, sin duda, survive.

* * *

Philippines, Inc., a group of prominent businessmen, has taken the initiative, through the efforts of Dutch Ambassador Theo Arnold to bring to the country Senator Mechai Viravaidya of Thailand. He is scheduled to speak at the Dusit Hotel on October 29 on how Thailand was able to uplift its economy through a progressive population control program. Anyone interested to hear Senator Viravaidya may contact Ms. Tita Gustilo at Tel. Nos. 810-1255 and 810-6432.

* * *

E-mail: [email protected]