Freefire Zone

            Freefire zone was one of the strategy adapted by the Americans in securing the success of their  war  offensive in Vietnam War. They were simply successful waging war in the battlefield unleashing those heavy artillery and bomb they mercilessly dropped right  on their target what with the   horizontal red light indicating the perimeter and extent of warfare. And with Agent Orange clearing the battlefield of trees and thick foliage exposing their enemies for clearer target, the Americans were unbeatable. The strategy did not only facilitate the complete destruction and annihilation of their target but most importantly, save them for  possible  infractions against indictment of war crimes and International Law of Humanity as stipulated in Protocol II in 1949.

Well why not used such strategy it in this column  to give the best option for general voting population. Let us changed it to  Friendly  fire though  while the heat of election  is still on in the spirit of free market of ideas. We’re near the homestretch anyway  of election  and why really not if these ideas would help clear the cobwebs those issues and therefore would help facilitating  selection for general voting population. Unless we too are not paying exact  tax to the government then by all means we should not feel crazy about election.  But otherwise, let’s continue participating in the electoral exercise. Support is merely lip service, participation is what make the difference. So whether you are ordinary citizen or not for as long as your pro-development oriented, progressive in the parlance among academe by all means do join. Which is why, this writer would like to recognize the feedback given for the general reading public of  this paper.

 Which is why, this column would like to thank those who sent in their valuable feedback  notwithstanding crisp and acerbic.  In the country  where we honor free market of idea and free speech enshrined in our Philippine Constitution, who can’t afford respecting your idea never mind how you wrote them and who are you area lobbying for. Bring them on.  Let’s show that we are indeed democratic country and that this country is not actually  the most feared place for journalists in the entire world. Hence, I’m reiterating my utmost appreciation to those brave souls who dared  sharing  their thoughts on election.  Never mind what color you see as the best one; It doesn’t make any difference. You maybe yellow, orange or green.  It doesn’t matter.  Or you maybe  still maybe  undecided and keeping your ace close to your heart.  Or so what if you’re colorless as you don’t see light in our electoral system. The bottom line is, you stand by your option and live consistently by it but hopefully, would be ending your loyalty when the country has already its elected public officials after May 10.

 For all we know we are still barely scratching the surface of the election-related issues.  As in war anyway, truth becomes the directly casualty.  Look on how presidential candidates and down the line have resorted to various antics from personal to professional engaging in  below the belt attacks digressing from  the platforms they should give time dutifully ventilated across to their audience. Who knows as we might also be  barely touching the tip of an iceberg on different issues raised by  those presidential wannabes far from those skeletons they are keeping on their closets

Nothing new anyway as even the media are giving their share indicating who among the wannabes are the best shoo-ins  for the position. I don’t think there are serious lapses or  wrong here for as long as we are conducting critical evaluation on issues raised.  In fact even if we have these issues coming out from stream of consciousness for a start would already be considered good enough.  That for as long as it is subjected to corrective process.  And that could only happen when we share ideas. What more if we conduct critical evaluation on issues considered allowing the data and facts speak for themselves with you a writer repackaging giving the necessary clincher.

That what I did  I write for Manny V. for President few weeks ago. And while it may appear an orange article for some, I’m standing by it unless other variables would be there to change the color. Thanks therefore for those who send in their feedback. You’re all welcome whatever you mean.  Here’s some of my few words though.

First, I salute   how you guys   there in Cebu are showing your true color as far as your general  participation in election is concerned.  I definitely agree  solidly  where you stand and how you keep it there  and what it takes  there standing your ground. Most specially, I appreciated your nerve not swallowing   hook, line and sinker whatever power-brokers like the First Gentleman might have caused the Garcias throwing their categorical support to Manny V. presidential bid as Gov. Zubiri is doing in Bukidnon.

 Second, sorry I don’t think it’s healthy  dignifying issues that are already considered history as in Manny V’s much abused humble poor beginning, ZTE-V and  all that.

Third, and this is from the heart. Nothing personal here as one of you begged it. Definitely, no envelopmental journalism involve here as one of you guys would like it to appear  when you wrote: “Pila man kay magpalista pod mi!” You know what? Column writing has been there for more than a decade starting with other paper (MGSD) and would you believe that I never received a single centavo from all those articles I wrote for the paper! Tapal pa man gani sa ink.  If  you wish, you can check with that paper’s publisher. Thanks though that at least this paper (Sunstar Cagayan) is recognizing my talent and I’m receiving a check at the month’s end never mind meager. At least I can afford buying a candle writing article like this one.

So what’s new? Bring them on. Don’t worry if writers are taking the cue for certain candidates for as long as they’re honest to goodness assessment and don’t go against Ethics of Journalism. It’s better to know their color perception this early than not at all.  At least we could engage them in free market of ideas and challenge resolving  loose ends or the more there would be confusion.

Thus never mind Alex Magno and Esposo  tandem of Phil. Star rallying for Noynoy and his counterpart in this paper my neighbour Kairo’s columnist Van Vught actually rallying the cause for Noynoy in the local field. But just as you can not please every people in their  cause, the likes of  Tony Lopez, Bencyrus Ellorin  and maybe this writer, should  not be cause for alarm

Thanks instead that all colors are properly ventilated.  That’s near  rainbow, isn’t it.  Or why not  having two or  three choices of color as you might probably caught in indecision Anyway there is  time  to conduct further research and come out with your own matrix showing array of platforms of wannabes and engage in reality check to come out with your best choice. I did though it’s not yet complete. But the most important thing you have the data to vouch your choice.