Of 9-year olds and violence
By Andrew Orocay
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She could have been the next politician strongly advocating for peace. She could have been the first woman who would join the baseball Major league. She could have been the next music or sports idol. But all of those dreams ended at age nine. Gunshots killed Christina Taylor Green, January 8, at Tucson, Arizona when a man opened fire in an attempt to assassinate a congresswoman.
The congresswoman didn’t die, but Christina’s dreams died.
He could have been the man who will lift his family from poverty. He could have been that excellent student whom the entire school is proud of. He could have been that guy whom every girl calls hero. But all of those dreams ended at age nine. Gunshots killed Joven Cabe , December 14, at Las Navas, Samar when members of the New People’s Army opened fire at a group of soldiers heading back to camp.
Ten soldiers died, Joven’s dreams also died.
There has been too much exercise of violence. There has been too much neglect of peace. For sure, Jovan and Christina aren’t the only victims. If the culture of violence goes on, there’ll be more.
I hope that these deaths are enough to call our attention that there is a need for the people... for you... to take action and to be engaged in waging peace.
The Arizona incident can be zoomed in on the usage of gun. Guns as tools for dispute resolution. Guns as instruments for vengeance. Guns as means of justice.
On the other hand, the Samar shootout, for me, is an utter disregard for peace. Period. Pity that 40 years of insurgency will just end a life of a boy who lived just for nine years.
On January 14-18, the government and the CPP/NPA/NDF will again meet at the negotiating table. I’m hoping that the efforts of both sides to talk peace will finally end ending lives. I’m praying that this can finally result to the nation’s genuine, lasting peace. For me, it’s just fine if it is not going to be tomorrow, or next week, or next month... but please bring us closer to the peace we aspire for.
That we includes you. Perhaps it’s high time that we all start caring for peace. We know corruption, human rights violation, and murder and all of that sorts. But do we know conflicts, land disputes, insurgencies, communism? Do we know how political and civil conflicts inhibited the growth of the Filipino nation? Do we know how much lives have been wasted and sacrificed? Do we know?
Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles once encouraged the people to participate in the country’s peace efforts:
Peace needs us. The us needs peace. Realize. Just realize.
How many more 9-year olds have to die just for us to care for peace?
Ilang siyam na taong gulang pa ba ang kailangang mamatay para lang tayo mangialam at ipangampanya ang kapayapaan sa bayan?
I hope Joven and Christina are the last sacrificial lambs for the sin of violence that this world carries.
These kids died... for you... for peace.
Tweet
She could have been the next politician strongly advocating for peace. She could have been the first woman who would join the baseball Major league. She could have been the next music or sports idol. But all of those dreams ended at age nine. Gunshots killed Christina Taylor Green, January 8, at Tucson, Arizona when a man opened fire in an attempt to assassinate a congresswoman.
The congresswoman didn’t die, but Christina’s dreams died.
He could have been the man who will lift his family from poverty. He could have been that excellent student whom the entire school is proud of. He could have been that guy whom every girl calls hero. But all of those dreams ended at age nine. Gunshots killed Joven Cabe , December 14, at Las Navas, Samar when members of the New People’s Army opened fire at a group of soldiers heading back to camp.
Ten soldiers died, Joven’s dreams also died.
There has been too much exercise of violence. There has been too much neglect of peace. For sure, Jovan and Christina aren’t the only victims. If the culture of violence goes on, there’ll be more.
I hope that these deaths are enough to call our attention that there is a need for the people... for you... to take action and to be engaged in waging peace.
The Arizona incident can be zoomed in on the usage of gun. Guns as tools for dispute resolution. Guns as instruments for vengeance. Guns as means of justice.
On the other hand, the Samar shootout, for me, is an utter disregard for peace. Period. Pity that 40 years of insurgency will just end a life of a boy who lived just for nine years.
On January 14-18, the government and the CPP/NPA/NDF will again meet at the negotiating table. I’m hoping that the efforts of both sides to talk peace will finally end ending lives. I’m praying that this can finally result to the nation’s genuine, lasting peace. For me, it’s just fine if it is not going to be tomorrow, or next week, or next month... but please bring us closer to the peace we aspire for.
That we includes you. Perhaps it’s high time that we all start caring for peace. We know corruption, human rights violation, and murder and all of that sorts. But do we know conflicts, land disputes, insurgencies, communism? Do we know how political and civil conflicts inhibited the growth of the Filipino nation? Do we know how much lives have been wasted and sacrificed? Do we know?
Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles once encouraged the people to participate in the country’s peace efforts:
“Pero ang alam natin rin, hindi ito kaya ng gobyerno lamang. Inasahan ang suporta’t kooperasyon at pagdarasal ng lahat ng mamamayan na subaybayan ito. Makilahok at iparinig sa dalawang panig ang pagnanasa talaga ng ating bayan na makamit talaga ang kapayapaan.”
Peace needs us. The us needs peace. Realize. Just realize.
How many more 9-year olds have to die just for us to care for peace?
Ilang siyam na taong gulang pa ba ang kailangang mamatay para lang tayo mangialam at ipangampanya ang kapayapaan sa bayan?
I hope Joven and Christina are the last sacrificial lambs for the sin of violence that this world carries.
These kids died... for you... for peace.
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