THE PANG OF MISFORTUNE

Klang! Klang! Thats the signal, yes, two hours more is left. Do you hear that? At four at this afternoon I will have my rendezvous with death at the lethal injection chamber. I pledged guilty to drug trafficking and multiple murder. I know, I deserve that ultimate capital punishment but, listen, listen to my story. You, too, have share in forming me into a hoodlum in this dog eat dog world. It was a matter of faith by destiny that I grew up in an area fast accelerating in its orbit of moral decadence. My mom died a few days after my birth. Lola brought me up as dad, a policeman, was a footloose and a fancy-free family man. Outcast, yes I am, a bitter pill to swallow, but more bitter than this was the pang of rejection. Dad disowned me for reason he alone knew. Society condemned me for moms indiscretion, a fault not of my own making. I did not ask to be born but they gave me life just to swallow in governing in pain and in anger. All around me were dark shadows of frustrations: pre-marital sex, women of loose morale in heavy make-ups, indecency, gambling, vices of all kinds, graft, and corruption. Name them and we have them all in our place. At first, I lived as an errand boy, then as a messenger for this oldest trade of flesh to sustain a living. I graduated to selling prohibited drugs while sniffing once in a while to get in the world of make believe to escape reality of life. That was how life was with one like me who has no choice but to stay living the hard way. One night, in my usual routine, I had some small packages of prohibited drugs to deliver to my valued clients. I was intercepted by a man in uniform, and was consequently caught in the act. I could do nothing more but face the situation. Instead of submitting myself peacefully to the authority I managed to grab the revolver and shot him flat dead. Once, twice, until several policemen came to his succor. I shot him aimlessly not minding anymore who might get hurt until I no longer knew how many lives were lost. God forgive! But you, people of the Philippine Republic who accuse me of drug trafficking and multiple murders, I also accuse you before the seat of the Most High, God the all knowing, all wise Judge for: having failed me with our lawmakers who themselves are lawbreakers having taught me lifes bitterness just with your words not coupled by your witnessing having led me to this horrible event with your complacency but not with your concern as fellow Christians having done nothing to fight moral decadence that has swept and pestered our country now.

I know I have but few minutes to live. Before I submit myself to face the Maker, I ask you people of the Philippine Republic to atone for passive participation in the mess and corruption our country is faced with. Do something to save our country, save the Philippines, save our youth. Capture the lost values through moral recovery.