A shocking bit of news yesterday reported that North Korea has been filing ballistic missiles. In what direction, I did not quite get, but doesn’t it seem so harsh of them to resort to engaging in wars with this pandemic still uncontrolled? Perhaps their country has been untouched by the COVID that seems to have been spreading itself all over without respect for a country’s wealth or standing in this body of nations? So far, I have not seen or read any item about retaliation from the South.
***
What a time for countries to launch hostile activities. The world is barely coping with this new disease that has not yet fully met its match in science and medicine. On the other hand, the aggressive ones could be taking advantage to pursue their plans of conquest. Well, if neither their officials or the United Nations can make them come to terms, let us all hope and pray that this does not escalate into a bigger problem with other countries getting into the fray! Makes one wonder, too, if they have either conquered the pandemic in their countries, or they both want to decimate their populations.
***
Recall. That was a word I have always associated with elections, having heard some politicos threatening their victorious opponents with it. But it became clearer when news came out about a winning candidate for governor threatened with “recall”. I haven’t come across yet with the developments in the case, but I hope it does not give ideas to losers in future Philippine elections. It seems the result was a landslide, anyway for the original winner. I guess that means voters do not like a sore loser.
***
Meanwhile, why did Manny Pacquiao file a libel case against Pastor Quiboloy, the leader of a religious sect in Manila, and, perhaps in other places in the country? It doesn’t sound like Manny at all to be resorting to such measures, so I think the aggravation was just too much for him to ignore. And Manny is now a politician, too, so he would have let any slur – if it was one – pass if was a very serious one. This should be interesting to watch, because being a potential candidate again in the next elections, he would have let the libelous matter pass.
***
I was surprised to see a report that Baguio City has several COVID cases now, and I guess the natives are suspecting visitors and tourists of having brought the virus to them. At other times, they would have welcomed the rush of tourists, but these are no ordinary times, when tourists who come to your town or city may not be bringing only their money, especially dollars, but a virus as well. I will not be surprised if, from here on, the city governments will require medical clearances from visitors before allowing them to stay in their city. Ah, COVID! What changes you have made in this century!
***
When are we getting our I.D.s? Seems there is now a requirement for citizens to acquire identification cards to present wherever they go. I guess it will also include a clearance from infectious disease, like this COVID, that has been spreading itself in so many parts of the world. I am afraid such I.D.s, if nationally approved and required, will mean that people must have it in their persons wherever they go, or they may not be admitted, or worse, be shunned like lepers of olden times!
***
While the rest of the country is fighting a pandemic, some parts are still waging war against rebels, as in what happened in Ilog town recently. The latest one, as published in this paper took place in Ilog, where four rebels, believed to be members of the New People’s Army, or NPA, exchanged fire with policemen. Although the fatalities were suspected to be members of the rebel groups, it was still saddening to hear, because they were our fellow Filipinos who left grieving parents, wives and children behind. When will our government make overtures to come to terms with such groups?
***
Education is still a priority among our people, I am glad to note. Despite all the warnings and reports about the dangers of getting infected by this vicious COVID, school enrollment seems to be going on, and classes opening. A report noted that, as of yesterday, 26.3 million students have already enrolled and classes are starting in some areas. Nothing will make things as normal as seeing students happily going to school and engaging in play with schoolmates. Let us all hope and pray that things will continue to “normalize” and that this disease will be conquered completely.*
