Monday, December 22, 2008 Editorial: Rejoice but don't drop our guards
CHRISTMAS is here soon, the mobs all over town and the long lines of vehicles that have slowed down Davao City once more, signals the arrival of the merriest of all seasons.
But amid the revelry, the happy faces, and the partying crowd, however, may lurk people with ill intentions.
We don't want to be the doomsayer here, we're just reminding everyone that there are, there has been, and there will always be people plotting against people, governments, the whole universal system, people who will constantly wait for the time when others are most unaware.
The crowds on the streets, in restobar compounds, in the malls, inside churches, and just about everywhere should remind us that these are the very same crowd terrorist lust for. Just be careful.
We're not saying that we all stay at home and quiver in fear, that's playing into the hands of terrorists who want us to live in fear. What we should always remember, however, is that vigilance remains to be our utmost protection. Our willingness to look out for our brothers, to be the eyes of those who may otherwise be occupied, to be the ears for all those that we love.
The peace we have been enjoying, that has brought in the huge crowds in the city these days is no reason for us to drop our guards. While indeed the law enforcers are there and the city government has consistently listed peace and order as its top priority, we as citizens, should do our part.
The twin blast in Iligan City inside two department stores that killed three and injured 53 others should remind us that in the hearts of those who hate, there resides no spirit of Christmas. Let not the merriment of the season make us forget that even what we may hold most holy can be feeding some other people's lust for blood, and the only way to prevent these people from spilling more is to watch out for each other's safety.
