Christina's voice amplified in today's 102nd Women's day commemoration

MARKING this month's commemoration of over a century since women all over the world have recognized their birthright, the brutal killing of a very courageous woman burns the fire of fervor among us women today. Christina Morales-Jose is a name that reverberates in the heart of every woman whose rights for basic assistance in their dire situation after the typhoon she has championed.

I regret having not met this one of a kind woman, though she came from my birthplace. She is the epitome of a woman leader who stood her ground even when she was already being harassed and threatened to the point of death. Everybody knows in my beleaguered Baganga, Davao Oriental, who could have perpetrated such a heinous crime. It may take some time before the brave could finally bring together the courage that she has planted in their hearts to speak up about the truth.

But surely, out will the truth come. The citizens' effort at ventilating the grievous acts of officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and from the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the areas hardest hit by Typhoon Pablo, which the "powers-that-be" wanted to silence can no longer be held in abeyance. Because like the flickering light in the dark, the truth can never be hidden as it will always break its way through the quagmire of lies and deceit.

In today's world, the women's voices grow stronger and clearer, and more purposive, even with the blaring efforts from their detractors to belittle these small voices, the whimper of pain from the girl-child abused and disregarded, the helpless women who are being battered and kept in the dark, the countless women workers and peasants who continue to subsist in inhumane conditions and flagrantly violated under the very noses of local and national public leaders who shamelessly claim to champion their causes.

Woe to these soulless creatures who thought they are able to control the course of women's destiny to emancipation. It may have taken so long to realize this, but one clear indicator of the loss of control by the “imperialists” is when their insatiable greed becomes so pronounced and uncontrollable in intensity, as they use violence without hesitation.

All fingers are pointing to the known assassin of the woman leader now. Christina's killing has unmasked the State's façade of a democratic system that supposedly protects the interests of the poor. They say, the truth will eventually come around, no matter how it is being stifled, just like how the victims of the storm “Pablo” finally decided to come in droves to air their grievances, but whose dignities were stripped by government leaders that were supposed to assist them in their times of grave need.

The national and local government leaders have grievously violated the Humanitarian Charter that puts the rights of disaster affected populations to life with dignity, humanitarian assistance and protection and security at the centre of humanitarian action.

Government authorities have forgotten that it is the people whom they are SWORN to SERVE, and NOT their own selfish interests. Sadly, these are the very same people who take the brunt of the authorities' lust for power.