By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Today, for me, signals a dawn of hope for many Filipinos who dread being subject to China’s bullying. Independence Day may be on the 12th but today, the 1st of June, finds the Philippines standing resolute and backed by formidable friends — the United States and Japan — for the start of trilateral maritime exercises aimed at protecting our territorial waters.
The next seven days will be a stunning display of solidarity as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the US Coast Guard (USCG), and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) embark on strengthening their interoperability through a series of activities off Mariveles, Bataan.
These trilateral exercises occur within the context of the proposed strengthening of the tripartite agreement between Manila, Washington, and Tokyo amid the ongoing conflicts in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific. It is a palpable response to Beijing’s audacious behavior, particularly its aggression towards Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
While the PCG has clarified that these exercises are not directly tied to Chinese harassment and encroachments into our maritime space, the underlying message reverberates far beyond these words. Even Australia and India, both of which are expected to send observers to the maritime exercises, understand the weight of these maritime security initiatives and their presence thereat.
As we, Filipinos, celebrate this powerful alliance, we witness a turning point — a remarkable testament to the indomitable spirit of a small nation refusing to be intimidated.
When faith needs forgiveness
In the midst of a deeply troubling incident that involves the arrest of a priest, the faith of many among us is being called into question. Yet, when we engage in debates over matters of faith, we risk losing the very essence of what faith truly is. It is akin to becoming faithless, devoid of the unwavering belief that lies at the core of religious conviction.
The recent arrest of exorcist priest Fr. Winston Cabading, accused of “offending religious feelings,” has prompted the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to issue a heartfelt plea for forgiveness. It is a moment of introspection and humility, a recognition that no institution is immune to imperfections.
Retired Justice Harriet Demetriou, the plaintiff in this case, asserts that the matter at hand concerns the law, not the teachings of the Church. She emphasizes that the proper venue for discussion is the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, rather than social media platforms.
In this delicate moment, I believe we must approach these discussions with sensitivity and empathy. It is a time to reaffirm the bonds that unite us as a community rather than allowing divisions to deepen. Let us tread carefully, mindful of the consequences our words may have on the faith and beliefs of others.
In the end, faith should inspire us to seek understanding and bridge divides, not ignite conflicts.
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