A SHAMELESS act.

Reportedly angry over the amount they collected because it was much less than the ransom they were demanding, the criminal kidnappers of school principal Gabriel Canizares beheaded him, and his severed head and body were separately found at different locations in Jolo on November 9.

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

When kidnappers such as these, whether they are the mujaheedins or some fanatics they claim to be, cheapen life and insult civilized people by killing a defenseless and innocent man like Canizares, they in truth cheapen, defile and doom themselves and all that they claim to stand or fight for. And how especially 'way sipug - Tausug for shameless - it is of them when they kidnap poor public school teachers like Canizares and the others before him just for a money to fill their selfish, evil appetites.

In some real sense, there is no need at all for society - as it now does once again, ritually - to condemn the beheading and beheaders of Canizares. The kidnappers and the devil that made them do the nonhuman action have condemned themselves in more ways than anyone else can imagine or express. History will remember, point an unwavering, accusing finger at the perpetrators of this barbaric murder, too.

Canizares was the youthful principal of Kanagi Elementary School in Patikul municipality. For Canizares as it is for his co-teachers, it would have been no easy job to teach young children in a troubled place like Patikul, in a province where noble-minded, self-sacrificing teachers are perversely and routinely oppressed and abused, to say the least.

Canizares was snatched by nameless bandits while riding a passenger jeepney together with his co-teachers last October 9. The kidnappers demanded P2 million for his freedom, but Canizares' family paid only P150,000 and that triggered his beheading.

We share the unfathomable pain of Canizares' family and his co-teachers over this very shameful tragedy, his most cruel death.

Teachers like Canizares were and are historically prophets, among the greatest of whom, founded the great religions. When they are killed, their blood will cry for justice forever - for a justice that mankind can never really give in payment for a sacred life so unjustly, violently and criminally taken. However, Canizares and martyrs like him will, for the fear of God and the wisdom they pass on from one generation to another, ever inspire and strengthen good men and women to carry on the job to raise humanity towards its destined and divine salvation.

And so we say: Praise and peace be to you, Sir Gabriel Canizares!

Peace Advocates Zamboanga
Fr. Angel C. Calvo, CMF
President