TUESDAY'S developments showed how little the legislators really care to understand the Moro conflict. They will insist on their version and how they think the conflict can be resolved, from their view out there far away from Mindanao.
The root of the conflict then is ignorance, the cure is in education. Yes, it's a long-term solution that is best started now while there is a government that looks at Philippine politics through a Mindanaoan's eyes.
While those at the Bangsamoro Transition Council (BTC) have their work cut out for them, to push on with their lobby and make the needed numbers understand that this is about a people and about Mindanao that will all redound to the country's over-all development.
Threatening with arms will not bring any good. In fact, it will just set back the process more and will make those who have the power to legislate even more recalcitrant in their stand against and warped views about.
As we have been saying over and over again, it starts from that child whom you taught nothing much about Mindanao and the Moro territories aside from the rebellion and error-filled narratives in their Araling Panlipunan and Sibika textbooks.
For as long as the educators and the Department of Education continue to ignore this tools of miseducation and just accept everything that is in their textbooks, we can never expect understanding much less peace. It is time that the people who have the key role in honing the consciousness of the generations be taken to task to bring up children whose default leaning is peace.
But most of all, for as long as the Moro people will not truly embrace that their faith tells them that peace is the only way, then they will continue to nurture generations who have a fondness for guns and revenge.
In this regard, we are sharing with you a Facebook post our columnist and BTC commissioner Datu Mussolini Lidasan shared.
"We need to understand the whole process of passing a law in our country. We need to understand where our legislators are coming from. Don't take it against them if they have fears, doubts, and some would say 'biases and prejudices'. The way we react and the way we handle the situation now defines who we are.
"Have faith in Allah (SWT). Don't fall into the trap of feeling to be in a 'state of desolation'. That is the word of Satan, he will make you feel that you are hopeless. There is more we can do..."
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World No Tobacco Day
Today, May 31, is the World No Tobacco Day, and we are congratulating Davao City and its people for strictly abiding by the ban on smoking in public areas. It remains to be a feat that no other local government can stake claim to in terms of the expanse of its coverage.
Every year, on 31 May, WHO and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health and other risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2018 is "Tobacco and heart disease", seeking to raise awareness on the:
• link between tobacco and heart and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, which combined are the world's leading causes of death;
• feasible actions and measures that key audiences, including governments and the public, can take to reduce the risks to heart health posed by tobacco.