IT'S Heroes' Day, and so many are given a respite from work and classes supposedly to remember those who have passed. Of course, very few will. A holiday is a holiday is a holiday.
But as the Marawi conflict enters its 98th day today, just two days short of a hundred, let us at least give a few seconds to feel what our soldiers on the field are going through, and try to feel the depth of the agony of those who had to leave their homes and worldly belongings behind with no assurance of finding anything left once they return.
Indeed, the government soldiers need all the moral support people can give to continue with their close-quarters combat, while the evacuees need all the help to hang on while the battle is not over.
For 98 days today, the families who have fled the conflict, do not have any news about the state of their homes and properties. Not even the journalists who come out with footage of the conflict area could give enough details. That is a state in limbo we would not wish even on our families and acquaintances.
Thus, as the city goes on a holiday mode, we ponder on the work we have to take upon ourselves once the war is over and we all move to help return things back to normal again. It's going to be one big job that the President has the wisdom to appoint only the top honchos of the departments so that they will no longer have to consult with other colleagues and report to him directly. But this cannot push through if the enemies are still embedded in that city.
Thus, we understand why the President has to visit his troops more times than he has visited the evacuees. Both are in need of the President's moral support. But for the time being, the real tax at hand is to end the war, and the soldiers need all the moral support to do that. And then, the rebuilding. We hope that this will be very soon.