To whom peace may concern
By Jan San Andres
All they wanted was peace.
Who would’ve thought that the day they rallied for peace would be the day it would be stolen from them. Stolen... forever.
Nicholas Paquingan, 52, was declared dead on arrival at Davao Regional Hospital after a band of NPA rebels ambushed an Army convoy transporting civilians from a peace rally in Compostela Valley on February 13.
Nicholas was riding the convoy’s last vehicle. Then a landmine exploded. It killed him.
Angelito Gumayas, 42, and Juanito Bacalso, 56, were two of the civilians riding that vehicle. They too called for peace that day. They too died. Initially, they were rushed to the hospital – still carrying a glimpse of life. But on February 14, Valentine’s Day, their hearts stopped beating.
I don’t exactly know who Mang Nicholas, Mang Angelito, and Mang Juanito are. Maybe they’re fathers who have grown tired of the dangers that armed conflict brings to their families.
Maybe Mang Nicholas is that one proud grandpa who adores the new addition to his family. Unfortunately, he’s now just going to be a memory for his grandchildren.
Maybe Mang Angelito is that striving father wanting his son to finish college. Sadly, he’s one month short before March.
Maybe Mang Juanito is that one sweet husband who wants to surprise his wife on Valentine’s Day. It’s just that, his I love you will never be heard again.
But one thing’s for sure, lives were once again... lost.
I don’t know why it has to be always like this. People killed. Children orphaned. Families crippled. Dreams shattered. I’m afraid it’s becoming usual.
Bakit ba napakadaling kalimutan ang kapayapaan? Bakit ba napakadaling ipagsawalang-bahala ang buhay? Bakit ba napakadaling manahan sa galit, paghihiganti, digmaan, at karahasan?
Nakakapagod. Nakakapagod.
I wonder what else conflict and war can steal. Lives, aspirations, happiness, peace – they’ve stolen it all. What else? What else do you want?
All they wanted was peace.
Who would’ve thought that the day they rallied for peace would be the day it would be stolen from them. Stolen... forever.
Nicholas Paquingan, 52, was declared dead on arrival at Davao Regional Hospital after a band of NPA rebels ambushed an Army convoy transporting civilians from a peace rally in Compostela Valley on February 13.
Nicholas was riding the convoy’s last vehicle. Then a landmine exploded. It killed him.
Angelito Gumayas, 42, and Juanito Bacalso, 56, were two of the civilians riding that vehicle. They too called for peace that day. They too died. Initially, they were rushed to the hospital – still carrying a glimpse of life. But on February 14, Valentine’s Day, their hearts stopped beating.
I don’t exactly know who Mang Nicholas, Mang Angelito, and Mang Juanito are. Maybe they’re fathers who have grown tired of the dangers that armed conflict brings to their families.
Maybe Mang Nicholas is that one proud grandpa who adores the new addition to his family. Unfortunately, he’s now just going to be a memory for his grandchildren.
Maybe Mang Angelito is that striving father wanting his son to finish college. Sadly, he’s one month short before March.
Maybe Mang Juanito is that one sweet husband who wants to surprise his wife on Valentine’s Day. It’s just that, his I love you will never be heard again.
But one thing’s for sure, lives were once again... lost.
I don’t know why it has to be always like this. People killed. Children orphaned. Families crippled. Dreams shattered. I’m afraid it’s becoming usual.
Bakit ba napakadaling kalimutan ang kapayapaan? Bakit ba napakadaling ipagsawalang-bahala ang buhay? Bakit ba napakadaling manahan sa galit, paghihiganti, digmaan, at karahasan?
Nakakapagod. Nakakapagod.
I wonder what else conflict and war can steal. Lives, aspirations, happiness, peace – they’ve stolen it all. What else? What else do you want?
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