Bravery

WHAT motivates a person to sacrifice his life so that others may live in freedom and democracy? What makes someone leave his family and loved ones to go to the most dangerous, conflict-ridden part of the country to help restore peace and order?

These are difficult questions to answer for any man or woman. But to the valiant men and women of our armed forces and the national police it was a call of duty. It was plain and simple bravery. “Para sa bayan.”

I am awed at the courage by our soldiers in fighting for our freedom. The most recent report as I write this column indicated a total of 62 casualties on the side of government forces. I mourn with the families of the fallen. And I thank them — the soldiers, the police, and their families — for making the supreme sacrifice in order to defend the Republic.

The least we can do is to make sure that the families of our soldiers are cared for. I am glad President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has pledged assistance to the families of the fallen in terms of livelihood and education.

As the Commander-in-Chief, he has also promised to increase the pay of cops and soldiers and to give them better arms to fight the enemies of peace. It’s the least we can do. Bravery is a simple concept to ordinary people like us. But to soldiers, bravery is a sacred word. It is a solemn duty for soldiers and cops to defend with their lives, our way of life. That is courage. No, that is heroism.

The Code of Conduct of the Armed Forces of the Philippines clearly reflects this heroic tradition. It partly says, “I am a Filipino soldier. I will fight and die in the true Filipino traditions of valor, duty, and loyalty… To all these I pledge my life, my treasure, and my sacred honor.”

These are not just empty words. To a Filipino soldier, this is his mission in life.

Reflecting on the bravery of our soldiers, our daily tribulations seem so obscure and infinitesimal compared to the challenges they face.

I do not mean to belittle the significance of our daily problems — traffic, problems at work, high prices, unemployment — but compared to the dangers our soldiers face, they seem inconsequential.

Imagine yourself, hundreds of kilometers away from home, deep in a jungle or a mountain armed only with your weapon and your courage. As you advance to enemy territory, you face the possibility of being hit by a sniper or stepping on a landmine planted by the enemy. It’s as if you are stalking death.

When you hear the barrage of deafening gunfire and mortar rounds, you take cover, take your wallet out and kiss the photo of your wife and children which you brought to constantly remind you of why you are doing what you are about to do. You fight the enemy not because you desire to kill but because you want a safe, peaceful, and free life for your children and the nation.

It makes my gut wrench just imagining what our soldiers have to go through in order to protect our freedom. It is something we should be thankful for. Although I do not think we can thank them enough.

Let us make sure that their sacrifices are not for naught. As we debate the merits of the declaration of martial law, as we argue with people in the opposite political camp, let us remember that there are Filipinos, someone’s father or husband, out there laying down their lives so we can freely express our opinions.

Do not let them die in vain. In our own small way, let us contribute to make our country free, peaceful, prosperous, and compassionate.

This is the best way to repay the bravery and heroism of our soldiers.