Today was a sad day for all Filipinos.
It was a day of mourning as three of our countrymen were executed in China. Prayer vigils and masses were held all over the country prior to this day in the hope that the execution will not push through. But alas, our government's plea to the Chinese officials fell on deaf ears. The Chinese government said they had strict rules to follow and we cannot do anything but respect that.
Isn't it ironic that citizens of a country where death penalty is not practiced had to lose their lives in a foreign land that imposes such.
What makes it worse is that due to our economic problems, Filipinos will do everything for their families. Maybe they were really guilty of the crime, but I would like to believe that they did it against their conscience in exchange for the money that they will get in return. What parents will do for their children.
Same as in the case of our OFWs in the Middle East who refuse to come home despite the ongoing war for fear of losing their jobs and means of support for their loved ones back home. This is the sad plight of our countrymen who have to endure being away from their families to earn a decent living.
And what about our poor soldiers who risk their lives in the battlefield whilst having to make do with their very meager salaries while the top officials in the AFP are busy counting their millions, houses here and abroad, luxury cars, travels, etc.
This is a wake up call for the government.
Let us not wait for another unfortunate incident to happen before we act. And act fast we must.
God Bless the Filipinos.
