The Wrong Kind of Forgiveness

This afternoon was my firstborn's kindergarten moving up ceremony. When we were still at home (and I was still practicing how to walk in 3-inch heels more than a year after getting pregnant with my second child), I caught an unusual news update: HOSTAGE DRAMA AT THE LIWASANG BONIFACIO.

The victims: a busload of young students. How annoying when the news stated that this hostage taker was practially a veteran in this, his first stage in 1989 being inside the San Roque de Manila Church where he tied up a couple of priests. It became ridiculous, however, when the demands of his 2007 movement seemed heavier on the pizza and ice cream rather than his so-called protest against corruption, particularly in the education sector.

Hours past my daughter's austere dinner party (for receiving the 1st Honors, if I may just add), I soothed my aching feet and turned on the boobtube. Voila, there was that reality show again--- getting more suspicious with the involvement of politicians, and very twilight-zonish with the kissing scenes between the children and Mr. Hostage Taker.

Parents interviewed on-cam said they planned no lawsuit because "mabait naman sila... nilaro naman nila ang mga bata..." (They were good... they played with the kids.)

Hospital workers who de-stressed the victims of a 10-hour detention in a very closed space added to this frenzy of bad judgement by declaring, "Okay naman, wala namang humagulgol sa kanila." (They are okay; none of them were wailing.)

Malacanang Palace released a statement about the news. It had something to do about embarrassment, and I suppose it is similar to my take. This is allegedly an issue about the educational system, yet Mr. Hostage Taker, a certain Jun Ducat--- ironically close to dukot (which means 'to nab')--- taught his hostages that what he did is justifiable. So soon, some parents and hospital workers seem to already understand this man and justify his actions!

I cannot understand why Ducat's children are so touchy about the rumors in 1989 regarding their father's insanity. If Ducat has done this with little reward, if any, once--- then doing it a second time indeed sounds crazy. I also cannot understand why Ducat, after that forgotten siege over the construction funds of a church, thought that his passions could be used better if he won a political seat in his area. If we are allowing people like Ducat to run for office, then Malacanang is right--- that IS very embarrassing!

Somebody with enough power has to give sanctions on this man. It is not enough that the children 'do not seem harmed', because there is yet an invention to immediately detect any human malfunction brought about by this abnormal detention. This experience instills in those kids that it is okay to take hostages, that they could be forgiven if only they gave a cause that has any semblance to general welfare. This experience teaches the wrong kind of forgiveness. Who's to say right now that none of those kids will have nightmares? Who's to say that none of the parents will become even just slightly more paranoid? Would you allow yourself or anyone you love to be more paranoid just because of the deranged Mr. Hostage Taker?

Tell you what--- maybe I should not flush my kids' poo and pee in my small loo at home, then tie up Mr. Hostage Taker, then slam him face down on the tiles, then make him feel my collection of 3-inch heels--- all of which are size 10--- against his skull for (realistically) 3 hours?

Don't worry... I won't ask for a kiss.