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| Ben Emata |
THE carnival parade in Cagayan de Oro which ushered the celebration of the annual fiesta was a big hit among TV viewers around the globe especially Kagayanons living in foreign lands. I watched it with heavy admiration as I felt it was truly beautiful, musically similar to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
I never realized our colleges and universities which participated in the activities had so many attractive young ladies who danced in beautiful attires along the parade route.
We celebrated the traditional fiesta to honor our patron saint, Saint Augustine, but there never was such a true presentation of this year.
Let me commend our city government and the organizers of the celebration for the astonishing parade that truly hit the heart and admiration of people who witnessed it.
So many people expressed fears the parade might be marred by lawlessness and trouble makers as fighting goes into nearby Lanao town of Marawi but as it happened things went normal, very peaceful, enjoyable and just fantastic. I really think our loving patron Saint would never allow a celebration in his honor would be disturbed by outside force as the terrorists. My sincere appreciation for all, especially the residents and guests who joined hands in making the parade a very successful and peaceful affair.
We are celebrating the fiesta of our loving Saint Augustine. Let us welcome our guests, show them our friendship and give them the utmost entertainment available. Remember fiesta affair is a religious celebration thus we all show our love to our patron saint by attending church services. Let us all pray for abundance, peace in the home and in our city.
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Then vice president Jejomar Binay and his son Junjun had been slapped with graft charges in the construction of a government building in Makati during their terms as public officials.
These cases erupted during the late political campaign and I thought were only issues during the season.
There must be sufficient justification for its filing by government prosecutors. I look at the father-and-son tandem as innocent people and I hope justice be accorded them during the trial.
I never liked the Binays politically, but I wish they were given fairness during the trial.
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The war in Marawi has become quiet for days now because reporters are tired of making new that had been raging g for three months now.
The truth is heavy fighting is going on and just yesterday, two of our soldiers were wounded in the fighting. I can see the Maute group is a strong enemy that knows how to fight, well equipped and brave to withstand real combat.
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I am happy about our police and military in their joint efforts to dismantle the kingdom of drug addiction in the country. I hope they will succeed and all those responsible are brought to the courts to answer their crimes.
I frown killing the suspects because the real method is to file charges against them and sentenced to jail if found guilty. I always disagree with summary execution upon sight. We should give the suspects the benefit of the doubt
and lawyers to defend them during trial.
Metro Manila and suburban provinces and cities are notoriously known in killings of drug suspects. Mindanao is only second and sad to realize the matter has alarmed the international audience.
Killing is unknown in many European cities because they believe so much in the right to life of people besides those crimes are not so alarming like our country. Some people think the killing in our country will only stop when all the drug lords and pushers are dead. This is terrible and very scary. I wish to reiterate my stand on the war against the illegal use of drugs. It can never be won unless the general citizenry actively enter into the fight.
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An earthquake hit some places around the world. Italy is still trying to search for victims as of press time. Leyte province was also hit by 5.6 quake and no official report yet, except that some buildings collapsed.
I hope our people are prepared for any tremors that may strike in our city. Know the things that could save lives. Never panic should one hit us.
Just be calm as the matter will not last long. Just keep away from tall buildings where debris may fall upon your head. (Bennex News Service)
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