Celebrating Independence Day sans armed revolution
ON JUNE 12, 1898, THE PHILIPPINES obtained its freedom from 327 years of Spanish rule.
This year, we are celebrating our 125th year of independence.
However, while we became free from colonizers, we are yet to attain freedom from a group who, just like the Spanish colonizers, tried to deceive people with their ideology.
Among these groups are the underground movement and its political wings.
The underground movement and its allies are compared to the Trojan horse that seemed honorable and noble, but in fact, hid their real identity and objective inside a beautiful creation/image.
Using a similar tactic, the movement and its allies aim to overthrow a well-established government through armed revolution.
As we celebrate Independence Day, let us not be like the Trojans who were deceived by the Greeks when they hid their army inside the Trojan horse.
We call on peace-loving Filipinos to be more discerning about groups that pretend to be righteous, idealistic and critical about every event in our society, capitalizing on every issue that arises and every mistake that every person other than members of their group commit.
While we continue to be patriotic and nationalistic, let us never patronize the use of violence to put an end to our societal problems.
As the late Francis Magalona said in his song “Kaleidoscope World”, “you can’t talk peace and have a gun”. Thus, as Filipinos who are agents of peace, joining the armed revolution of the underground movement should never be an option.
To give value to our independence, let us instead work for freedom from liars, the corrupt, and from a group that has done more evil than the people they condemn – the group who unjustly kill State agents and innocent civilians to fight for their beliefs that revolution is tool for building a great nation.
Independence is not unbridled. It comes with responsibility.
As responsible citizens, it is our moral obligation to help ensure that our fellowmen are able to exercise freedom of choice, knowledge, decent living, association, and religion.
Let us fight for a more secured Philippines and genuinely free Filipinos. Happy Independence Day, kailian. — CHRISTINA CATBAGAN, chair, Nagkakaisang Samahan sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran