Rizal and Saddam:
Killed on the same day

Once more with feeling: A Very Happy and Blessed New Year to all our Readers and Friends! May all the failures of the past year be left behind, and the successes carried over.

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The year 2007 seems to augur well for our country and people. Of note is the fact that less people were victims of firecracker blasts this year, and even in Metro Manila, no fatalities have been recorded due to them. One thing we should be thankful for is that people have become more responsible in the use of pyrotechnics. Unlike in previous years, there were few blasts during Christmas Eve, which could mean that we now realize that the birthday of our Lord is not an occasion for noise and disturbance. Maybe it was not exactly a "Silent Night", but it was more peaceful than others before.

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What is still disturbing are the reports that some people still got hurt by stray bullets, which means that there are still some irresponsible ones who fired guns during the welcoming of the New Year. In Bacolod and in Dumaguete, incidents of stray bullets injuring people have been recorded, but, thankfully, their wounds were not fatal. In fact, two of those hit did not even realize it, until much later.

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But a tragic one occurred in Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, where a 63-year-old man, who should have known better, tried to fire his gun after midnight. When it failed, he tinkered with it in front of his wife, and according to reports, accidentally pulled the trigger, killing her. His wife was also 63 years old, poor woman, but she could have witnessed many New Years yet. Even if the old man does not get prosecuted for the shooting, he will have to reckon with regrets throughout his sunset years.

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The execution of Saddam Hussein almost overshadowed the celebration of the New Year, especially because it was covered and shown to the world by television. However, while the early footages were quite prudent about the portions they showed, later ones were more explicit, arousing indignation, not only among his followers but from other countries as well. But then maybe, those who showed it wanted to counter the reports earlier about the cruel dictator having gone calmly and bravely to his death, making him appear like the martyr he claimed to be. The video (who took and who disseminated it?) debunked this, because it showed him almost hysterically shouting and, I understand, cursing his enemies, especially the U.S.

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I certainly have no regrets over the execution of Saddam which, I think, could not ever make up for all the tortures and killings he himself had ordered or instigated. The only thing I found regrettable is that it had to be done on December 30, which is a revered day for us, being the execution day also of our true hero and martyr, Jose Rizal. Now Rizal has to share the day with a villain, a much-hated man of the modern world.

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The fate of Saddam Hussein should put the fear of God into former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. After the Prosecutor dropped all the 21 charges against him, he still has no reason to rejoice because the Communist Party of the Philippines, through its spokesman, has announced that it will charge him before their People's Court. And, the announcement added, he will be tried whether he attends and tries to defend himself or not. Maybe it's time for Garci to also start calling "Hello GMA! Hello GMA!"

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Still another media blockbuster before the year 2006 moved on was the "abduction" of U.S. Navy man Daniel Smith from the Makati City Jail and his transfer to an American Embassy detention room. I have never believed that he was guilty of raping the Zamboanga woman, but since he had been convicted by the Court, I wish his rescuers had the decency to await the decision on his appeal. I'm afraid we will be starting 2007 with more protests and rallies, even if past ones on the case had not shown any massive crowds supporting the claims of the alleged rape victim. Oh well, 2007 will surely be another exciting media year, even if 2006 was marked as its deadliest.*

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