“…The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower…” –Deuteronomy 28:4
We really must keep an eye on Palawan. The tourists that visit, are they there to provide our countrymen with much-needed opportunities or will they just strip the forests and mine its resources for personal riches? These questions came about after reading a quote from President Rodrigo Duterte which called on the people of Palawan to keep a watchful eye on tourists and prevent them from destroying the province and its sites.
His comments made me think there was a need for the president to visit Palawan himself; perhaps in disguise, wherein he would try to talk to locals. I am certain he would be shocked to learn what (or who) is behind Palawan’s deforestation.
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It is a pity Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Oscar Albayalde is suffering from low credibility ratings. However, that is the current state of the national law enforcement agency as they try to provide explanations on cases of alleged excessive force, along with the recent arrest of National Democratic Front (NDF) leader Vic Ladlad.
When Ladlad was first arrested, the PNP and its leader affirmed the NDF official was apprehended for illegal firearms possession; an issue that prompted police to issue additional statements reiterating the claims.
Why are the PNP and Albayalde being seen as truants or mischievous juveniles that deserve pity? It is clear the PNP is very much aware of its low credibility and the public will no longer just accept statements. The PNP chief must lead a more aggressive campaign to increase their trust among the populace.
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Does the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have a list of foreigners currently in the Philippines? Aside from disclosures on social media claiming there are currently too many foreigners in the country, either employed in one way or another, or occupying condos without engaging with anyone or anything outside, they really are visible just about everywhere.
BI must publicly reveal the true number of foreigners in the country as it is a national security concern.
If there are too many outsiders in the Philippines doing nothing, they must be part of something nefarious – either looking to control a business or take over the country. We must not forget the historical lessons of World War II. According to our grandparents (in some cases, mothers and fathers), there was a sudden rush of Japanese citizens, entering under the guise of selling wares in the countryside, but it turned out they were here to map out roads and structures, which were then used during their subsequent occupation of the Philippines.
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