Peace in our times?

Ten days ago, we wrote that International Peace Day commemorated every September 21st coincided with the day that President Marcos chose to declare martial law. Now, 1.4 billion Muslims all over the world will be starting their Ramadan fasting either today or tomorrow, all depending on the sighting of the new moon’s crescent. Ironically enough, only four days ago, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group exploded powerful bombs that blasted three crowded restaurants in Bali, Indonesia killing no less than 26 people and wounding more than a 100.

I had the privilege of accompanying former President Diosdado Macapagal during his state visit to Indonesia and we were so impressed with the beauty and kindness of the people of Bali that when I was requested to deliver the President’s response, I said what is now a very quoted phrase, "After you see Bali, you can die’." Now, in the brief span of three years, terrorists have senselessly chosen peaceful Bali to sow terror. And now there are reports that the same group of terrorists has the same plan for Metro Manila.

We must say that so far, the Philippines has been strictly lucky. We ask many people this question, "When was the last time Manila was hit by a typhoon?" After giving my question some thought, all of them said, "I don’t remember." They can’t remember because it was long ago. Taiwan has just been hit by a bad typhoon.

Yesterday, the whole world also observed World Habitat Day. One can imagine how the people of New Orleans reacted when just reminded that Sept. 3 is World Habitat Day. What habitat? They have just lost their entire habitat to typhoon Katrina.

We have been extremely lucky. We have had no major typhoons, earthquakes or fire. The Americans have hardly recovered from typhoons Katrina and Rita, now they have to cope with wildfires in, of all places, Los Angeles, California. Here we should be thankful that we have peace and order. True, we have had rallies asking our President to resign, but they have all been peaceful and now seem to be a thing of the past.

The only worrisome thing is now, according to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, there are some past and present prominent government officials who want President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo out of Malacañang at all cost by October 15. This, of course, will not happen. The anti-Macapagal-Arroyo demonstrations will be a passing phenomenon. It is the work of people who want to get into power and can’t wait till the next elections.

Responding to the Bali blast, the Philippine National Police has raised their alert level from normal to heightened. The public should also be alert. But we don’t have a serious peace problem.