I would like to react to Arnold Van Vugt’s letter titled “No need for armed revolution, friend” (Opinion, 5/10/13). I agree 100 percent with Vugt: Most Filipinos whose voices are not heard are tired of armed struggle. Through the years, much has happened and Filipinos now have a better, free life. To continue with the armed struggle is futile and it would only bring the country down. His suggestion for Luis Jalandoni of the National Democratic Front to come back to the Philippines, and get involved here in the struggle to liberate the people and work for their well-being is good.
Vugt was frank about what he really felt, and I admire him for that. There is no need for another armed revolution. Yes, for as Vugt said, “We now have a democracy and we can all involve ourselves in a parliamentary struggle.”
There is no need for us to shed blood, to further be divided, to pull each other down. We have learned from the hard lessons of the past. The dark years of martial law are now behind us. It’s time we worked together, as brother Filipinos, on our common aspirations. This is the true meaning of democratic struggle.
—MA. JASMINE H. VELOSO,
ma.jasminev@yahoo.com