To achieve peace and order, can peace be ordered?

QUOTING Maulana Sahab, terrorism will persist in one form or another until the ideology of violence is countered with another ideology based on peace.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, having studied Islam from its original sources, the Quran and Hadith -- says with certainty that this political interpretation of Islam is an innovation and the real Islam, as followed by Prophet Muhammad and his early followers, is based upon peace, compassion and tolerance.

Peace is not prevalent in the world as people the world over are acting intolerantly and indulging in acts of violence, saying, “Give us justice and peace will ensue.” But when people, ostensibly seeking justice, stoop to violence, peace can never prevail. Peace is always desirable for its own sake, and every other desirable state comes after peace, not along with it. So, the maxim to follow, when peace is the desired state, is: “Ignore the problems, avail of the opportunities.”

Media has always been the battleground of what is real and unreal. It becomes unreal when emotion gets thrown into the mix to attract attention and mindful of the peso residue that will be gained in corporate bank accounts. It becomes real and pure only when there is no purpose in reporting the unfolding events by eyes of the spectator.

A news organization has the awesome power to identify and magnify a social problem otherwise not seen before. There was a time that nuclear power plants were perceived as bril - ment. A single Chernobyl incident erased the concept and instantly converted the idea as a threat to humanity. Such immense power can be translated to other topics as well.

Police brutality is always viewed with resentment among the public. It is perhaps based on the visuals that one is armed and the recipient of the action is not. Provocation, disobedience or violent reponse more often that not, are never perceived in favor of the law enforcers as they are the party which is usually stronger than the other. Equipped with such “authority” by law, they are most likely to forget their primary role which is the media is mostly aligned with the public to balance those powers. And always “hostile” or “uncooperative” by performing such balancing acts.

*** “It’s complicated.” Duterte: I told Dela Rosa not to remove CIDG- 8 chief Supt. Marvin Marcos He said that he had asked Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go to call Dela Rosa as regards Marcos’ removal from his post after he was implicated. “Ganito yan, si Bong in-orderan ko, ‘call.’ By the time pinasa niya, ang sumagot si Dela Rosa. Sabi ko, do not remove the guy because kasali yan sa…”

Asked what’s next for Marcos after Duterte said he was involved in illegal drugs, the President said, “He has to face the charges.”

“Let him maintain the right to be heard,” Duterte said.

In an earlier statement to the media, Dela Rosa said some “higher up” ordered him to reinstate Marcos. He also referred to this “higher up” as a “kumpare.” Sen. Leila De Lima came out with her own statement, saying “a source” told her Special Presidential Assistant Bong Go was the one who asked for Marcos’ reinstatement. Both Go and Dela Rosa denied De Lima’s statement. Again, “It’s complicated.”

*** are members of “Akbayan” party list with each making “Akbay” to each other.

*** I suggest that Google Translate or FB Translation develop a special module for PRRD’s statements. This will lighten up the load of PCO Secretary Martin Andanar.

*** The authentic ones who joined the rallies are those clad in their own black T-shirts bearing crude and handwritten placards with their own snacks and bottled water. The fake ones are those very well organized rallyists wearing silk-screened mass produced T-shirts holding expensive and well designed tarps, delivered lunch packs and sorrounding those politicians. I group, sorry to say that you do not

*** Gen. Hermo Esperon is right. You just don’t declare a country is on ter - nitely scare travelers planning to visit our country not to mention possible market uncertainties and incoming investments. A bomb found in NY will not merit a nationwide terrorist alert in the whole continental US of A. No tourist would want to be subjected to “hard checkpoints.” What about the rest of the country being perceived as unsafe? *** This is what I meant by my earlier post “pag mali, mali. pag tama, tama.” Gen Bato, after a call from your com- involved in drug protection? For the humanitarian reason that his family is away from where he is now? What about those less fortunate citizens who are now six feet under who did not have that kind of connection? You drug problem is deeply rooted in your ranks but where are your tears for the families that were victims of the drug menace? What about the other police partially punished by reassignment to terrorist infected areas in Mindanao?

If criminals are still on the loose, PNP’s intelligence capabilities are weak and useless. Being lazy and sleeping on their jobs, they will always receive clamors to look closely at their requested budget. If someone was caught quick, the police are accused of creating dramatic scenarios that will justify emergency power or martial law. When a bomb was discovered and diffused safely, it was alledgedly planted to create a national security concern nationwide to justify checkpoints and human rights violations.

*** Richer or poorer, we have much to thank for every Christmas. That we are still here to see it come and go.

*** Congress wants Sen. Manny Pacquiao to be the spokesman for RP tourism. Early payback for the Las Vegas free tickets?

With Pacman as poster boy of Philippine Tourism, a variation of the logo is likely forthcoming -- “More Punch In The Philippines.”

*** Why can’t airports install those running LED signs that translates to English, Spanish, Nihongo, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, etc.? Cheaper instead of current multiple stationary signage.

*** Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.