Tyrants cant succeed without submissive citizenry

Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, killing around 2,000 innocent people — soldiers and civilians — and thrusting America to the world war. Soon, some parts of the Philippines were bombed, too.

Never again should such a grisly, inhuman atrocity happen. In today’s world where strongman leaderships are menacingly flying high, it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that one of the darkest chapters in history cannot have a repeat.

On account of megalomania, power is attained and maintained at the expense of human lives. The innocent becomes the primary victim of a leader who greedily wants to have it all.

It is worth noting that, back then, the people of Japan willfully surrendered their freedom and dignity so as to devote their lives to their emperor.

The culpability lies not only in those who are in positions of power, but also in the citizenry who are blind to the evils committed glaringly. A tyrant cannot succeed without a submissive citizenry in his grip.

Our arch-enemy — the passion of the few to rule the many and accumulate so much wealth — is actually ever present, quietly lingering among us.

This is why the crusade for freedom should never cease, for freedom is not free, but has to be fought for. The attack on Pearl Harbor should remind us of the necessity of unceasing vigilance.

IAN CARLO L. ARAGON
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