TRULY, the persecuted deserves our collective action to revive their waning aspirations and make them whole and spirited again.
The Catholic church and schools nationwide did remember November 27 as Red Wednesday, an observance which is an expression of support to persecuted Christians in many countries, especially so in the Philippines.
Red Wednesday symbolizes the blood of Christian martyrs who were killed in the name of their religion and beliefs they espouse. It is a public awareness campaign "for the intention of persecuted Christians all over the world". This campaign began in 2016 by Aid to the Church in Need United Kingdom.
The Aid to the Church in Need or ACN is a pontifical foundation formed to assist the needs of the church wherever it is oppressed, persecuted or suffering material need.
In the Philippines, several members of the clergy have been murdered, the motive thereof still unknown today. The killings have remained unsolved.
Other religious minority groups have also suffered persecution.
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President Rodrigo Duterte has all the reasons to be angry at the boo-boos of the SEA games organizers over logistical troubles.
Despite plenty of time to plan and prepare, some foreign delegations were still not accommodated well and the food was said to be not nutritious according to a local coach. Why should this be when huge funds were allocated for this sport event? Could it be that money had greased the pockets of some officials and have earned a lot by way of commissions from hotels, transport companies and food caterers? Is there? Malaki yata ang kinita ng mga lintik!
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Of course, I agree that a Senate probe into the SEA games hosting troubles be held immediately after the games so that those responsible for the brouhaha be held accountable and be duly punished. As they say always, pumalpak sila!
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National media has weighed in on the issue. The Philippine Daily Inquirer in its editorial of November 27, 2019, titled National Shame, stated: Their resolute, detailed protests shine an unforgiving light on the utter incompetence being displayed so far by the body behind the embarrassing mess, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee or Phisgoc chaired by the bright boy, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
Reportedly, teams from Timor Leste, Cambodia and Myanmar suffered stressful situations on transport and accommodation and the Muslim-dominated countries Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei might face a halal food shortage. What happened, Honorable Alan Peter Cayetano? And to think this is just a regional meet? What would happen to us next to Tokyo Olympics 2020?