IT'S easy to be weak. In the face of confusions and doubts, one can easily succumb to fear and immobility, even be hypnotized to inaction, being frozen in state.
But like the eagle that faces its ultimate challenge of the painful process of shedding its old skin and feathers, flying into the wilderness to face its nemesis, the hardest part but nevertheless a necessity for its own survival, my city fell bruised and bloodied, and bravely stood up again, rising from the ground where many of its children lay dead.
The social media is replete with all sorts of information and garbage. But there are also a few gems from real people whose purity of heart shines through these darkest of times in our lives. What is unrelenting though are the unequivocal expressions of support from Dabawenyos for our beleaguered and beloved President, Mayor Digong who seemed tireless in giving support to his people, the same people who urgently urged him on towards the presidency to save the country from the monster that has become of the perennial problem on illegal drugs and corruption.
His potent drive against the gargantuan malady that has beset our country which he calls "narco-politics" must have stunned and shocked the devil's lair such that it desperately fights back, and in the process maiming scores among the innocents.
Has our faith in the Duterte presidency waned because of this? Ask any ordinary Dabawenyo and you will get the same answer. We have known right from start of this administration that there is a lot at stake, and some of us were not even as open to the idea of our Mayor Digong to hold the rein of power.
It was not only because he himself was then having second thoughts about running for the post, but also because we know very well that when he has set his mind on something, he will surely do it his own way, and we know him very well for that for years that he ruled Davao City.
In Davao, we call it "political will".
I need not enumerate the many welcome changes that he has initiated in our city that has made life a lot livable and secure for us, for which we are most grateful.
We know that many among those who stand to lose their millions from illegal activities among politicians and other so-called public servants were not happy when he assumed the presidency, because clearly, PATRONAGE POLITICS will lose its face, as it has been undergoing since his assumption into office.
We know many are out to want to "eliminate" him because he espouses genuine change and lasting peace, by inviting the revolutionaries to the negotiating table.
By doing so, many among the scrupulous "public servants" who stand to gain from internal conflicts they have been tacitly supporting are angry that this President has refused to give in to their greed and lust for power.
That is why this sad event that has wounded our beautiful city is no doubt the handiwork of people who have an axe to grind against this administration. With President Digong doing the things that he has long wanted to do for his beloved country and his people, no ill-willed politician or public officials will be spared, they can be sure of that.
The senseless killings of our compatriots in Davao only shows the brazenness and cowardly deeds of traitors who are well-dressed with suits that hide the darkness of their souls if at all they still have one. But then the time of reckoning are upon them very soon, because no evil deeds can withstand the brilliance of truth.
Our continuing support for his efforts to return the borrowed world we have that is still worth living and keeping, to the next generation are what matters now, however small our contributions may be in being vigilant and ready to lend him a hand during his most daunting moments... because it is not his fight alone, but largely ours too!
