Shadow of Despot

And now we have put a man who is largely desensitized— one who could not care less about persecution and the like.

Before the 2022 elections, my family and I were sitting around the television, watching random videos on a social media platform until I came across something that I will and shall never forget.

There was this material that applauded the golden and enchanted era of Martial Law, describing it as a time when everyone was well-behaved and obedient to the government.

I asked my father, who lived through the times in question, if everything was accurate. He responded by saying, ”Tama naman siya, lahat ay disiplinado at sumusunod, expected to have adequate military personnel to manage it, as stated by the Department of National Defense (DND), it requires 9,000 to 10,000 individuals to be deployed to around 2,400 higher educational institutions.

The current issues won’t be resolved by this program, rather, the system will become even more unstable as a result of the increased demand for resources.

Once again, it won’t be the government that bears the brunt of the consequences but the students whose sentiments are unheard of and brittle the grit of the system.

Patriotism is a deeply personal sentiment that should come from within and this same component is crucial for the progress and prosperity of one’s country. Therefore, it is just imperative that the government creates a system that instills this genuine sense of love and loyalty, not be forced especially on students. Their insensitivity to the feelings of its people is the root of the problem. After all, the Filipinos are at no fault of putting their own life ahead of their obligations to the state. ■ dahil kung hindi ay patay ka,” referring to the content creator in the television.

It seemed as if the Marcos camp was trying to influence people by maximizing their time and resources by using illegal means, as seen by the vast volume of false information that was circulating at the time. It would not even be surprising if things stayed the same over the following few years, with people believing fake news and rewriting history to fit their narratives about their families and the time of martial law.

At Bicol Regional Science High School, where we are encouraged to be critical thinkers, examine historical events, and guard against the dangers of historical re- visionism, we recognize that the challenges facing our nation, which existed prior to the current presidential term, may exacerbate under this leadership. It is disheartening to witness unresolved issues worsening under a leadership that seems indifferent to the sentiments and welfare of the Filipino people.

This reality underscores the importance of our role as informed citizens and advocates for change. By actively participating in activities that contribute to the overall improvement of our nation, we can strive to rectify injustices, promote truth, and prevent the recurrence of past atrocities.

Through our commitment to seeking and expanding knowledge, we can nurture hope and diminish the likelihood of future unspeakable acts. Together, as critical thinkers and agents of progress, we can work towards building a brighter and more just future for all. ■