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Dear Mr. President,
I write to you today as I listen to news about my beloved hometown, Zamboanga City. I am Kathrina Abrera Libarnes, born to parents who both came from the City of Flowers. I was born there in 1973 but my family and I moved to Manila before I turned two (2) years old. I've spent 38 years here in Quezon City and with regret I have only gone back to Zamboanga City for vacation three times in all these years, each visit with more than a decade in between. But this does not lessen my love for the city where I was born and for the people in it. This is where my roots came from, with bloodlines stemming from 3 or 4 generations before mine. I even have granduncles, paternal side, who served in the government, both local and national. One was even an esteemed senator who served the country before my time. Thus, my ties cannot be easily broken even though I personally do not have memories of growing up there. I must admit that now, as my family and I listen or watch the news about the attack in specific areas of Zamboanga City, I would often turn to my Mom and ask her if she knew the place and if they where near the areas that I was familiar with or near the areas where we have relatives still living there.
I am aware that my hometown has undergone a lot of hardships from the time before I was born up to more recent times. If I remember correctly, just a few years back, armed men also caused panic in one of the villages, a bit far from the city's center. Insurgents have also tried to instill fear among our people by planting and blowing up bombs in key areas of the city. Not counting the invasion and colonization of other countries, this is the first time that a group of armed rebels attacked our city with the intention of "liberating" us from the Philippine government. One of their goals is to take over our city hall and raise their flag and make Zamboanga City part of Bangsa Moro Republic. Unless we have been duped by our government, hiding the fact that Mindanao has become Bangsa Moro Republic, I believe that we are still part of the Republic of the Philippines and that I am still Filipino and not a foreigner in a land where I have lived and pledged allegiance to all my life.
This is not about Christians vs Non-Christians or Catholic vs Muslims. Zamboanga has been, for the longest time, a place that has nurtured and celebrated the diversity of culture, beliefs and traditions of the different people that has called it their home. Throughout the years, Christians and Muslims have lived side by side, though with some personal spats and misunderstandings, and call each other brothers. This is about aggressors, fully armed and ready for battle, who has the intention of taking our freedom away. Others outside Zamboanga City may think that we are over-reacting, thinking that this is only a small group and that our government forces can quash this crisis easily. Then again, Mr. President, with that exact point, I counter and say, "Precisely, it is a small group but why then, after four (4) days (five by the time this open letter gets out) the situation is not yet contained and controlled?" How many more lives, civilians and soldiers/policemen alike, should be taken? How many more houses/establishments/livelihoods be destroyed before appropriate actions are implemented to stop this madness? If you are serious in nipping this in the bud, why send an insufficient number of half-starving, zombified due to lack of rest, with insufficient arms and gears, soldiers during the first few days? Why have we not heard from you directly, seeing only your cabinet members and aides? I do understand that you are delegating responsibilities and as you don't do the dirty works in most cases, but don't you know how much your people would like to hear assurance coming from you that you will not let our city be taken by force and be separated from the Philippines?
Ever since I was matured enough to think and speak for my own, there have been a number of issues that our country has caused discord in our ranks but I have never been more vocal in raising my own thoughts and views until four (4) days ago, when my hometown was attacked. I fervently pray to our Father in Heaven, through the intercession of his Son, Jesus Christ, and through our Mother, Mama Mary, to guide you and the rest of those involved in this situation to do the right thing by us. You have reiterated time and again that we are your bosses. We ask you to stand up and and take charge and be responsible for the safety of your people, and for bringing back peace and order to our beloved Zamboanga City.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathrina Abrera Libarnes
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