“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” –Henry David Thoreau

Anything destructive and fatal should compel the populace to unite and stop the menace. Whether it is a virus, terrorism, inclement weather, or war, the matter must be given priority in an effort to minimize the death toll and preserve human life.
Over the past few weeks, that issue has been dengue fever. Luckily, the government, media, non-governmental organizations, civic organizations, the military, Philippine National Police, and individual good samaritans have come together to fight the virus, which has put the Western Visayas on red alert—particularly in Iloilo and Iloilo City.
The public cannot afford to solely entrust the Department of Health (DOH) and relegate themselves as spectators.
Dengue is not the only problem plaguing the undermanned DOH and, while it will not “scream for help,” DOH needs moral, financial, personnel, and logistical assistance in order to battle dengue. If such help comes, the virus can be trounced.
In the past week, the determination by local officials, organizations, and individuals to beat dengue can be felt.

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Another colleague, Eduardo Dizon of Cotabato City-based Brigada News, was shot last Thursday by two gunmen aboard a motorcycle in Makilala, Cotabato and became the latest victim in a country ruled by a president who once threatened to “kill all corrupt journalists.” He is the 13th journalist to be killed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Initial reports claimed the murder was job-related as he had earlier received threats.
Journalists in the Philippines are like sitting ducks; the public hears reports about media professionals being murdered in cold blood but seldom are cases being pursued or the culprits identified and put behind bars.
The culture of impunity has emboldened the enemies of press freedom and “crusading journalists” in the Philippines are faced with situations comparable to armed combat on a battlefield.
Authorities must exert strong effort to arrest Dizon’s killers in order for the international community to not accuse the government of “abetting” the murder.

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Alex P. Vidal, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ