Has Misuari eclipsed Napoles in the news?

The media is a powerful tool. It can shape how people think and feel. It can shape what people are talking about it. It can get a message across to millions in a day. And not only that, it has evolved too. Going beyond print, media now has another avenue – the digital aspect. However, when it comes to that, readers must be vigilant and ensure their digital news is delivered by a reputable source that has done their research. The freedom online provides is a gift and a curse because while you are more free to speak your mind, you are also not bound by all the same laws that restrict conventional media and therefore ensure it is real and backed by research. Online opinions can sometimes be mistaken for absolute fact, something readers have to remember to discern for themselves.

In either case, with all these avenues of information readily available to the public, there is really no way they are not informed about what is happening in the country. While television, radio, and newspapers still remain the leading source of information for the masses, the combined power of all media outlets – digital included – has been responsible for keeping the current important issues on top of everyone’s mind. This is good, because it reminds citizens not to get complacent and not to let go of the issues.

In the Philippines, resiliency has become one of our most admirable traits as a people. We face natural calamities practically yearly, not to mention many other misfortunes and tragedies that befall us, and yet we somehow make it through. Other countries have lauded us on our way to shake off the bad with a smile. It’s important that we can do this or else we’d just wallow in misery and never move past it and on with our lives. Yes, resiliency is great and allows for coping with every day life. However, our problem is that our resiliency has also made us more forgiving, or perhaps forgetful is a better word.  Because, as a people, we tend to not want to dwell on the bad, we like to move on and sometimes forget it ever happened.

We’ve seen it many times – how many other countries are there in the world with leaders who were overthrown and exiled now back in power? Or politicians who have spent time in prison voted right back into office? We see it happen all the time. Mass murders are protested and then forgotten, and crimes from as far back as ten years that were deemed heinous and terrible were soon forgotten, as life moved on or something new came along.

We really can’t keep doing this. Those who would do wrong are emboldened by the fact that, while they may be persecuted, they will never truly be made to pay for their crimes. I mentioned that in a previous article, but it still rings true because we find ourselves again in the middle of more deplorable crimes that will, hopefully, not go unpunished this time. With our track record, it is hard to believe that any real justice will be served, but we have to remain hopeful that maybe this time things will change.

And that is a big reason why the media plays such an important role in ensuring that the public does not forget. They must constantly remind the public of what is happening in the country, because they all have a stake in the outcome.

Which brings me to the two biggest stories in the news today: the fighting happening in Zamboanga and the on-going telenovela worthy drama that is the Napoles case. While both are extremely worthy of the coverage, we must not let ourselves forget that they are both equally important. A problem Filipinos have faced in the past is that they tend to set aside one issue when another arises. We are so distracted that we turn our attention to what is new and “forget” the issue we were grappling with before it. That should not be the case here.

I can’t help but feel that the MNLF renegade Nur Misuari has dislodged Janet Lim Napoles in the headlines even though her “trial” is still ongoing. She is currently detained in Sta. Rosa but attentions have been divided between her and the ongoing clash in Zamboanga. That’s not to say this does not deserve our full attention as well. Our poor brothers and sisters are caught in the middle of a war-zone in the South of the country. There have been numerous reports of standoffs and gunfights and bombs and even some stories of poor civilians being used as human shields.

This cannot stand. According to the government, the situation has been stabilized and will not spread any further, but that is not enough. We can’t keep being satisfied with things being stabilized. Isn’t it time we place long-term plans into finally finding a solution to these altercations? We can’t put a band aid on this bullet hole or it will continue to keep happening again and again. I’m sure the government is aware of that, and hopefully some real changes are going to happen soon.

That is actually the fervent hope of the country these days. I may be optimistic in saying it, but I feel that we have reached our breaking point already and will no longer be satisfied with half-baked measures to make us okay and happy “enough” again. It seems like the citizens want real solutions and real changes to finally happen and will no longer accept that things have been “temporarily fixed.”

I pray for all those caught in the middle of the clashes in Zamboanga, and I hope that a full and long lasting solution or at least plan of action is put into place that will finally start to help end these rebellions once and for all. Is that too much to ask for? Maybe. But one can certainly hope.

And additionally, I also know we can’t allow this tragedy to fully eclipse the problem we were already in the middle of dealing with. The Napoles case is most definitely going to get worse before it gets better. People have to remember to stay vigilant and steadfast because if they don’t it’s bound to drag on or worse, get swept under the rug. We must not allow this to just go away like so many of the problems have before it. Personally, I am more confident that people will not forget this because it truly affects their daily life. Whenever storms ravage the city and poor roadwork or infrastructure cause lives to be injured or lost, they will remember. When education and healthcare and basic needs are not met, they will remember. They will remember because they know how much better things could have been had their hard earned tax money be used in the proper way, to help elevate their lives and provide them with their basic necessities. I honestly don’t think this one is going to just go away.

But again, as mentioned, these are only two of many issues and problems that still do deserve out attention. While they are probably the biggest issues, let us also not forget the smaller unsolved mysteries that deserve an answer. Let us not forget the likes of poor Kae Davantes, whom I wrote about in my previous column. Her killers have to be made to pay for what they have done. Let us not forget the other victims of murder, theft, and abuse regardless of the social standing of the victims. Let’s not forget a children’s hospital that is essentially being evicted due to funding.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done and it may seem insurmountable, but that is no excuse to just forget about it. Even if it takes days, months, or longer, as long as steps are constantly being taken to finally solve all the problems, they will eventually be put right. In the meantime, it’s important to remain vigilant.