When things are not what they seem

THERE'S a lot going on these days. Deaths are in the news, the young ones among them.

But being aware that there is the multi-billion peso illegal drugs trade involved, we can only stand back and not be dragged into the hail of protests. There's just too much going on, we all need to step back to get a clearer picture, and listening to a senator like Antonio Trillanes IV heckle and jeer will not help.

Yes, the young ones have to be spared and killings should be stopped. The order should be on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure this. But how can it when its hands are bloodied as well? Who's killing and why and how are the promised investigations going?

The call should be on the family to guide their children. The same family whose mother may be abroad working herself to the bones and whose kin are all relying on her earnings.

The mandate should be on the barangay officials to ensure that their youths are engaged in productive endeavors outside the basketball league that seemingly is the extent of the organizing and thinking powers of most Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).

It's during situations like this that there has to be a sober mind looking out for the country. This is not the time for government officials to join the fray and do the sniping on perceived enemies, that is why we appreciate Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella so much. He's unflustered and delivers his message very clearly. We can only wish that all other communications arm can do the same.

By this time, those holding key positions should know there is a deliberate move to shake the very foundations of the Duterte Administration, they should not be shaken and stand their ground to deliver what has been promised.

Let the mass of people armed with their social media capabilities engage whoever they want to engage, but those in position should by now know better that their role is to deliver the key messages of this administration as widely and as clearly as possible. Trying to engage an opposition bent on setting out an agenda is an exercise in futility. Engage the people and involve them in the discussions on moving forward with government programs, especially on how to prevent drug addiction in their communities and families.

Let it be a vow among families to be there for the children and guide them away from vices and crimes; but it will take a whole village to engage the families set apart by the need to work. Let this be a community endeavor where the youth will never see the need to live a criminal life as more productive future awaits them and is within their reach, and this will need enlightenment toward true service to the people among the SK and not the politician-mindset they imbibe on.

There's too much at stake here. Our children, our families, our communities. We cannot allow hidden agenda of the evil few derail everything that we have invested our lives for -- the future, the nation -- every one must be involved. Let the destructive opposition self-destruct.