A sober reminder that the war is real

Written on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 5:31 pm | by Jon Limjap

Reading updates over at Plurk, specifically, this, this, and this post from user TheBitchGoddess reminds me just how near and how real the conflict in Mindanao is to all of us.

It’s an issue for me, because on Friday my wife and I will be flying to Cagayan de Oro City for the long weekend. While CDO is more than 10 hours away from General Santos City (where the fighting has apparently descended to) but a few hours nearer to Lanao Del Norte, where several towns have been attacked by the MILF.

We’re supposed to spend our first day there (the rest of the long weekend, we will be at Camiguin) but I’ve voiced my concern that if things go south at CDO (pun unintended), we should be ready to ferry to Tagbilaran from Camiguin.

I have often wondered how foreign tourists feel when flying to Manila right after terror attacks and security advisories are issued by their countries. The feeling of fear (what if the MILF gets to where we are?) and frustration (how dare the MILF ruin a vacation that took months to arrange!) may be argued as unfounded (should I be happy that the 43rd Infantry Battalion will be in CDO?) but it is both unsettling and unnerving just thinking of the possibilities.

Moreover, I feel worried about friends, both online and real-life, who are in the cities of General Santos and Davao. If we tourists have any right to be worried, what more for people who actually live and work in those areas affected by the fighting?

It is frustrating that the government has ever considered negotiating with these terrorists, who have brought nothing but death, havoc and grief to the life of innocent civilians, whether Christians or Muslims, the latter who they are supposed to represent. And it frustrates me further that a region so full of potential as a major travel destination should be deprived of opportunities to develop and promote tourism in these areas.

We will still push through with the trip barring major circumstances, but I would be unable to remove from my mind the thought of just how real and relevant to a relatively sheltered Manileño like me this war really is.

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About The Author: Jon Limjap is a software developer and co-owns a travel agency business. He started writing about political issues in the Filipino-language Ang Pahayagang Plaridel of DLSU-Manila, and has been blogging on and off at http://blog.kapenilattex.com since 2005

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19 Responses to “A sober reminder that the war is real”

  1. A Just War | Filipino Voices on August 20th, 2008 6:18 pm

    […] Real War is happening. […]

  2. cvj on August 20th, 2008 8:11 pm

    Stay safe!

  3. Bencard on August 21st, 2008 1:07 am

    cvj, not by running away with your tail behind your hind legs, or falling on your bended knees in submission.

  4. cvj on August 21st, 2008 1:24 am

    The Internet Macho strikes again.

  5. Bencard on August 21st, 2008 1:49 am

    yeah, says the i.t. “genius”.

  6. Nick on August 21st, 2008 6:19 am

    come on guys, let’s keep it civil.. thoughts on the issue much more appreciated, so that readers can get contrasting views and analysis.. such as what would come from cvj and you Bencard.

    I think the point of bickering must stop, if only to realize, that lives definitely are at stake, and it is us who must be part of the solution, if only to provide further understanding for our readers.

  7. Nick on August 21st, 2008 6:20 am

    @Jon, stay safe, and thank you for providing this tidbit of info, a clear realization, that what happens in Mindanao affects us all…

  8. Jon Limjap on August 21st, 2008 7:43 am

    Thanks guys.

  9. Jon Limjap on August 21st, 2008 8:44 am

    We’re probably going to adjust our plans so that we’ll spend the least possible time in Cagayan de Oro City and proceed immediately to Camiguin.

    It’s frustrating that I have to do this (and miss the CDO white-water rafting experience altogether) but better safe than sorry.

  10. Bencard on August 21st, 2008 9:44 am

    nick , all i was saying to cvj was that nobody would be “safe” in peace through cowardice and surrender. apparently, he took offense and called me names and i had to return the compliment. see?

  11. cvj on August 21st, 2008 2:52 pm

    Nick, i do realize that lives are at stake. My point is that lives cannot be saved by displaying false bravado.

  12. retsy on August 22nd, 2008 12:23 am

    This site is beneficial to all, by this we can express our inner thoughts. It is remarkable to realize that Filipinos are united to put across different ideas.

    Are you not happy that people are devoted in this site????

    Stop bickering!!!!! We as readers imparted our point of view with regards to varied issues. After all we are intitled with our own opinion…….

  13. Bencard on August 22nd, 2008 2:02 am

    false bravado?? where the hell did that come from?

  14. cvj on August 22nd, 2008 10:13 am

    Bencard, in deference to Nick’s appeal, we can continue this discussion in my blog.

  15. Jon Limjap on August 22nd, 2008 9:43 pm

    Hi guys,

    I can’t be amused at this little sparring between Bencard and cvj. Take it easy guys; I promise you that phyric victories do not make for a fulfilled person.

    As I twitted earlier today, we made it safe and sound to Camiguin. Over at Cagayan de Oro there is no sign that there is a conflict in the next province.

    The only reminder that there’s a conflict are three PAF choppers at the CDO airport: an MD-520G gunship, an old UH-1H Huey, and a Sikorsky S60 Search and Rescue chopper.

    Strange enough, after we had left for Camiguin, we saw these choppers again: once the MD-520 and the Huey together while we were on the ferry going from Misamis Occidental to Camiguin, and a second time while we were snorkeling on Camiguin’s Kabila beach, this time with the SAR S60 and most likely the same Huey.

  16. cvj on August 23rd, 2008 1:13 am

    Sorry Jon, i just got used to the free flow of discussion over at Manolo’s. Will try to adapt to the house rules over here. Glad things are ok over there.

  17. Jon Limjap on August 26th, 2008 11:48 am

    Just before we left for Manila yesterday, a C-130 transport plane arrived at the airport in Cagayan de Oro and unloaded about 30 men and what looked like mortar tubes.

    It made me wonder, how many of those men will make it back to their families? How many of them will reach a ripe old age?

  18. Manuel L. Quezon III on August 28th, 2008 9:26 pm

    […] while some will ask (and perhaps hope) Critical Criterion Edition: Peace in Mindanao? Here is A sober reminder that the war is real | Filipino Voices which makes for cautionary reading, as does this entry from General Santos City, in For the […]

  19. Current » Wrapped in the flag on August 28th, 2008 9:37 pm

    […] while some will ask (and perhaps hope) Critical Criterion Edition: Peace in Mindanao? Here is A sober reminder that the war is real | Filipino Voices which makes for cautionary reading, as does this entry from General Santos City, in For the […]

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