“This fanaticism is what feeds terrorism and this is precisely why Muslims must play an active role in opposing hate sermons and incitement to terrorism and extremism in their mosques.” –Otto Schily
The islands of Panay and Negros will always be safe from terrorist attacks as long as the country’s intelligence network remains accurate and effective.
Abu Sayyaf terrorist who engaged Philippine troops in an April 11 gun battle in Bohol were probably on their way to other regions to terrorize and kidnap tourists planning to visit the beautiful beaches and resorts in the Visayas during Holy Week. However, since they were ambushed by government soldiers, they could not proceed to Cebu and, probably, Negros and Panay.
There will always be powerful military detachments prepared to foil their invasions and, based on the numbers in the recent incident, there was no way the terrorists would leave Bohol alive if the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were to double their air, sea, and land capabilities – the numerically inferior terrorists would be massacred.
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While nearly all members of the Iloilo City Council agreed, in principle, to submit to a drug test, as suggested by City Councilor Plaridel Nava, not all of them are happy to undergo, what they are calling, the “degrading” examination.
“Ka-degrading ina para saamon as members of the legislature,” one reportedly said to a friends in the media.“Para langinasamgaprisokag applicants sa driver’s license.”
Nava believes, as public officials, they should set a good example.
He is worried because Iloilo City has been tagged, by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, as “the most shabulized city in the Philippines.”
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It was during my high school years at a Catholic institution in Jaro, Iloilo City, where I understood what Holy Week was all about.
Holy Week, or “Semana Santa,” is the week preceding Easter and the final week of Lent. Beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. The period also includes Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday) and Good Friday; which, together with Holy Saturday, are known as the Triduum.
In 1969, before the revision of the liturgical calendar, Holy Week was the second week of Passiontide; currently, Passiontide is synonymous with Holy Week.
Christians commemorate the Passion of Christ, who died on Good Friday as reparations for the sins of mankind and rose on Easter Sunday, giving new life to all believers.
While Holy Week is solemn and sorrowful, it also anticipates the joy of Easter through the recognition of God’s goodness in sending His son to die for our salvation./WDJ