‘The widespread public disgust over Duterte’s unbridled subservience to Beijing may
have finally weighed in on the conscience and patriotic pride of Lorenzana.’
DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is probably itching to pull the trigger against the Chinese militia vessels at the Juan Felipe Reef. He had ordered that they leave the area immediately, with an implicit threat to drive them away by force.
Vietnam had never backed off from any Chinese bullying and had violently engaged superior vessels in the disputed waters at the West Philippine Sea. Indonesia has also shown that it is ready for any armed confrontation with Beijing in the high seas.
There is little doubt that President Duterte has been restraining Lorenzana from calling in the Philippine Navy and Air Force to deal with the hostile intruders. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin must have suppressed his signature four-letter tirades meant for the Chinese Embassy after the latter’s open insults, running roughshod over our sovereignty at our territory in the West Philippine Sea. The widespread public disgust over Duterte’s unbridled subservience to Beijing may have finally weighed in on the conscience and patriotic pride of Lorenzana.
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Social media is sobered by the rising COVID-19 infections and ensuing deaths.
Except for the uncontrollable angst thrown more frequently at the government, innumerable posts on Facebook, for instance, have been tributes to those who have perished due to the deadly virus. The slew of fallen celebrities started in March last year with Menggie Cobarrubias, director Lino Brocka’s favorite movie villain; the latest being Claire dela Fuente whose sudden passing was due to her deepening anxiety as a COVID patient that triggered a heart attack.
Messages of endearment commonly inhabited with Biblical passages from their loved ones have somehow turned COVID victims into saints. In some ways the deluge of condolences and sympathies from families, relatives and friends seem to cut through the social and emotional tumult that has defined much of social media interactions. The climate of grief has brought a profound level of kindness, compassion and respect.
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CCF Pastor Danny Urquico continues with his advise for the troubled and depressed. “I will surrender to Him my circumstances and even this crisis and tell Him to take control of my life and situation. Exodus 14:14 ‘The Lord will fight for you and you will only be silent.’ I need to be honest with God especially with what I am struggling with. That it’s ok not to be ok. Psalm 145:18 ‘The Lord is near to all who call on him, to call on him in truth’. I will choose to be thankful in all circumstances and see the good in every situation. 1Thes 5:18 ‘Give thanks in all circumstances’ I have to constantly fix m y eyes on my Savior. Hebr 12:22 ‘Fixing your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’”
