First of all, let me share a few thoughts on the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the year that just ended. Two events in 2011 struck at the soul and the body of the military organization.
In February, a retired AFP budget officer revealed how huge amounts of military funds were being generated and then diverted for personal and unauthorized use by some senior officers. The revelations would lead to the suicide of former AFP chief of staff Gen. Angelo Reyes at the gravesite of his mother. At that time, a survey indicated that the AFP was perceived to be the most corrupt agency in government. As with disease that afflicts a person, the cure and recovery can be lengthy and uncertain. What is important is the right example set by AFP leaders.
In October, 19 Scout Rangers were massacred in Al-Barka, Basilan, by MILF elements believed to be led by Commander Dan Asnawi. It was a repeat of a similar slaughter in July 2007 where 14 Marines were killed in the same town. In both cases, some of those captured were tortured before being beheaded and their bodies mutilated.
What progress has been made in the efforts to bring the culprits to justice? It is now more than two months since the massacre and five years since the earlier one. How can we proceed with the administration of justice if we have not apprehended those responsible for the tragedy? We have placed several officers under investigation and court martial proceedings for errors committed in the deployment of our troops. This is a move intended to pinpoint responsibility as well as accountability on the part of our own forces. But equally important is bringing to justice those responsible on the MILF side.
Have the ongoing peace talks derailed or taken away attention from the need to secure justice for our slain soldiers? Have we established control over Al-Barka? Or have we already conceded Al-Barka as a safe haven for MILF elements?
We owe it to our soldiers—both living and dead—to effect closure on this bit of unfinished business. To close our eyes in the name of peace will only ensure a third Al-Barka incident. The men and women in uniform look up to the highest authorities for leadership and guidance in the pursuit of justice and peace.
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2011 was a good year for our senior citizens. There has been greater compliance with the provisions of the law, although every now and then there are still some complaints regarding its implementation. A good example was the action of one business establishment in Greenbelt, Makati City, where it took the liberty of imposing its own interpretation of the law by limiting the 20-percent discount and VAT exemption to the main course. Drinks and other items were separated and charged in full. Only the vigorous objections of senior La Sallite patrons prevented the restaurant from violating their rights.
Last year, a number of private member clubs also decided to grant their senior members the benefits of the Senior Citizen Act. Earlier, Alabang Country Club took the lead and was followed by Wack Wack Golf & Country Club and Quezon City Sports Club. The latest one is Manila Polo Club (MPC), which has granted its senior diners the benefits beginning Jan. 1, 2012. I might add that in the case of MPC, which is currently headed by Roman Azanza Jr., it included a provision wherein “the current board of directors and their spouses… have voluntarily inhibited themselves from availing of this privilege during their term as directors.” These favorable changes were made based on the actions taken by their own members in support of senior citizens. We commend the board of directors for their enlightened position on the issue.
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Last year, Quezon City passed “an ordinance exempting all senior citizens of Quezon City from the payment of the initial rate for parking fees in establishments, malls, hospitals with parking areas, or any similar places charging the same situated within the territorial jurisdiction of the city and providing penalties for violations thereof.” Initially, there were hitches in the implementation with some shopping malls not fully complying with the new ordinance. Lately, however, there have been fewer complaints coming to my attention. It is hoped that other cities and municipalities in Metro Manila will extend similar privileges to their senior citizens.
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Among our senior citizens, we must not forget those persons with disabilities (PWD). One such senior was denied the 20-percent discount by cashiers at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, which only grants the benefits to those with mental or physical types of disabilities and not to those with disabilities arising out of a chronic illness. Mercury Drug also denied the discount for the same reason. A memo from the National Council on Disability Affairs further confirmed their stand, so the lady was advised to change her medical ID information. Although Mercury Drug eventually complied, they only gave her a week’s consumable supply. Can’t these retail pharmacies allow more medicines to be purchased by our PWDs so they don’t keep going back for replenishments?
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We make special mention of the work of the Coalition of Services of the Elderly Inc. (COSE). This organization recognizes the significant contribution of the elderly to the life of the community. Its core values embody raising awareness about the elderly and providing opportunities to “maximize the uniqueness, experiences and wisdom of older persons.”
One of the Catholic scriptures dealing with the subject of old age dwells on a sermon of Fulton J. Sheen, noted American archbishop. He spoke of a certain attitude that afflicts many of us today—“choronological arrogance”—wherein we think of everything old as irrelevant, outdated and useless and everything new as positive, up-to-date and important. I’m sure that few seldom admit it but they carry a “respectful silence” that is more than anything else a “masked indifference” toward the elderly. Our youth may sometimes forget that older persons possess a wealth of knowledge that only time and experience can forge. This Chinese proverb may be a good reminder to all: “If you want to know what lies ahead up the road, ask those who are already on their way back.”