PEBBLE BEACH

The Mabua Pebble Beach of Surigao City

Well clad in Barong Tagalog, it was disheartening to know that the Judge was out of town and that the hearing for my case is postponed. I was new to Surigao City and my boat back to Cebu City will leave past 8 p.m. and guess? it was still 8:30 in the morning. With nothing to do except to wait for my ride home, I’ve decided to talk to some locals and asked the nearest beach they could offer. The recommendation is the Mabua Pebble Beach.

I decided to take a hop on a tricycle and led me to the famous Mabua pebble beach of Surigao City. It was give or take 15 to 20 minutes ride and I arrived in no time. Upon arriving, a poster tells you that there are 380 steps to take to the Tourist Spot. Wait? What? Why would I climb if all I’m after is for the pebble beach?

Well, I decided to take the steps one at a time and after reaching the peak, the commanding majestic coastline of the Pebble beach appeared before me.

Instead of descending back, I decided to continue my short journey as there is a trail leading to somewhere. And, yes! It was a surprise. A shoreline inhabited with a few residents and all was there was me!

There were pebbles all over the place. It was a new experience walking barefoot at the shore. There are huts available for rent with the pleasure to stay overnight.

As I was gazing the beauty of the Pebble beach over a stormy sky, I was invited by nature itself to take a dip on the waters of the beach. After 2 hours, the tricyle driver I hired came back and brought me back to the City where my boat ride awaits for me to Cebu City.

Thrilling. Awesome. Paradise.

The Vexing Problem of Peace

While the rest of the world watches on how the Philippines stage a peace process to end the communist insurgents and separatist rebels, the government with its vast intelligence and military resources has failed to thwart a treacherous attack by the NPA, the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines, against the mining companies in Surigao, last 3 October 2011. With this new armed and political turmoil, the international community casted doubt on whether it is within the capacity of the Philippine government to put a final nail in the coffin on this vexing problem.

The magnitude of such aggression paints a painful question on the ability of the Philippines to protect the multi-billion foreign investments in the country, especially in the field of mining and extraction of other natural resources. The fear to invest in this country would bring about untold consequences such that there would be increase in unemployment, loss of government revenue and lack of trust and confidence from the international community and business leaders. The peace process has long been delayed because of political and idealistic reasons and thus, the delay, with subsequent betrayal of truce, would mean that peace will never be accounted.

The Philippine government must put serious efforts to stop insurgency and provide a long term solution to achieve peace. While diplomacy is the key element to effectuate peace without the stain of blood being spilled, it would be fruitless to hope in the mighty heaven that peace would come at the window by mere agreement in a piece of paper. The need for military action to halt the insurgents’ acts of terrorism must be well in place at this very moment. We cannot have diplomacy and military at the same time, it is the highest form of absurdity in peace process. It is either diplomacy or military action, but to address the deadlock of the former, we must choose the latter.