‘The witch-hunt today at some universities tagged as recruitment centers by military officials should end with officials of the universities taking a strong stand against this open state suppression.’
THE level of communist recruitment at UP after the declaration of martial law cannot compare with any other period that followed. The start of the iron-fisted Marcos rule led to thousands giving up home and hearth for a perilous journey into an unknown world.
“Teach-ins” became a common sight at faculty rooms, college lobbies, corridors and canteens about a year before martial law. As a sophomore at that time, I never heard of any recruitment at UP for the armed underground struggle, except discussions on how to combat society’s ills through progressive ideas of change and reform. It was fashionable then to be openly citing Mao Tse Dung and Karl Marx as prominent influencers of the youth.
The NPA ranks suddenly swelled with little effort from the CPP/NDF leadership, but mainly due to the disillusionment and fear foisted by martial law. Indeed, the one great distinction of the military regime that the communist leadership could not accomplish at that time was the rapid social and political polarization of the disgruntled young with the suffering masses.
The witch-hunt today at some universities tagged as recruitment centers by military officials should end with officials of the universities taking a strong stand against this open state suppression. The alternative to the uncertain credibility of an agitated government will likely heighten dissent and dissatisfaction.
President Duterte should take to heart the hard lessons from the protracted insurgency war here instead of allowing his remaining months in power to be clouded in further social and political instability and gloom. Will his legacy include polarizing additional sectors of the national society?
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TV news anchor Joyce Burton-Titular’s battle with COVID-9 was an example of inner strength buttressed by a superior strength that dawned in her as the way out of the deadly disease. After having visions of travels and destinations she had longed for, she was suddenly struck with realizing that God Our Creator should be the only One who really matters, above all, and not His beautiful creation.
Joyce, also a 700 Club co-host on GMA 7, abandoned her cares and distressing thoughts that have kept her distant from God initially during her sickness, and instead indulged in a personal and intimate fellowship with Jesus who, she was sure, would never leave or forsake her. Her healing began after she embraced the truth that Jesus is her life.
