What the Maguindanao clash tells us

I never planned to enter the uniformed service, but in 2002, I found myself taking the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) entrance examination. I guessed God had better plans for me.

My uncle told me that in service academies like PNPA, the cadets wake up at 4 am, and start their day by running and executing dozens of exercises. All of the cadet activities are regimented. Everything has to be in order and I cannot imagine myself doing all thatI

However, I survived the rigorous training.

In the academy, cadets can have a 4-year government scholarship. After finishing the cadetship training, you will be conferred with a degree on public safety. All cadets are trained to be disciplined and imbued with values of service, honor, and justice. It boils down to one important vow: to protect the public even if it will cost us our lives.

I was reminded of this vow following the violent incident in Maguindanao where around 30 PNP Special Action Force (SAF) troopers shed their blood in the name of public service. It is one of the most unfortunate incidents that ever happened in my 11 years in public safety service. I am deeply saddened to know that some of them were my good brothers from the academy.

Once and for all, this violence has to end.

What does the government think?

The government should pay attention to what is happening in Mindanao. The Moro people, our peace-loving brothers and sisters, are lured by evil-masked extremists with sweet promises. Some can no longer resist it because their stomachs are empty and their thirst for change started to drown their hopes because of corruption in the government.

If the government has a lot of resources being siphoned by those who only serve their personal interests, it only affirms the notion of the masses that indeed we have enough funds that can be utilized for greater economic activities like job generation and support for agricultural industries, particularly in the South.

People in Mindanao need jobs. They need more schools to educate their children. They need good motorways and waterways for their transport system. They need food on their table, and not bullets.

I am also wondering if the government thinks of the kind of ammunition used to kill my brothers, or the kind of firearms they were using. Would they still be alive if at least they had V150s guiding them, or if at least two units of air support in the area were made available for immediate dispatch? Did our police wear bullet proof vests? Did they utilize advance technology on the ground to support them in that deadly operation?  Did the government think they were immortals?

Cry for justice

Allow me and the victims’ families to condemn this violence in the strongest terms. We cry for justice. God gave us the gift of emotion to realize the value of what we have lost, but I am quite certain that He is a compassionate God, who will understand if I will say that my brothers should not die in vain.

To the Department of Budget and Management, please do feel sorry for the victims of this tragedy. More than our apologies, they need funds for operational technologies, firepower, and military capabilities.

To the Department of Social Welfare and Development, please do not simply sympathize with the families. Please send a team to Maguindanao and its nearby places to see the lives of our fellow Filipinos living in that area for you to know the kind of social service or support they need most before extremism totally lures them.  For God’s sake, do you need to be told that you cannot supervise what you cannot see?

To the Commission of Human Rights, please understand that our police officers are humans with rights, too. We wish that you, with all your might, would stand  and speak on behalf of the victims the way you stood your ground in cases against their ranks in the past.

It is love for country, acceptance of individual differences and culture, and respect to one another that will bring our nation lasting peace.

Hence, no matter how tedious the process would be or how long it would take us in this journey, there are many public servants who will keep their vow to continue guarding the people and their safety.

We will be challenged with more violence, extremism, and radicalization but will never run out of heroes who will fight, live, and die to ensure that our country will remain a beautiful place to live in. – Rappler.com

Xavier Solda is a member of PNPA Oman-Silang Class of 2008 who has joined the jail management profession. He obtained his Masters Degree in Development Management at the Development Academy of the Philippines. He was a former volunteer street educator and community youth organizer,  prior to public service.