mahirap talaga ang situation na to, kahit anong side ang kunin, siguradong may dire consequences... and choosing the lesser evil isn't easy since judging the lesser evil has a lot to do with each one's perceptions and priorities...

my take:

1. pulling out at this time - timing really sucks! sayang... even if we can argue na we pulled out not because of the terrorists demand, there will always be the perception that we did it because of the terrorists demands...

2. all the featured interviews regarding OFWs choosing to risk life and limb to work overseas rather than seeing their family starve to death is oh so noble... but when sh*t hits the fan (like what's happening now), the first thing that comes to mind is to bring him home... at least for this case we can bring him home... but what about the other OFWs in other countries who are facing life - threatening conditions? may pondo ba ang Pilipinas para ibalik silang lahat? at kung maibalik ba sila, mananatili ba sila dito? i guess not... wala ngang trabaho dito.. kaya sooner or later, babalik uli sa abroad...

3. the comment regarding the local militants is also right on! it's true that the current system we have sucks... but expressing their sentiments against each and every issue isn't enough.. all those expressions of indignation is worth nothing if they don't provide alternatives and make those alternatives work! puro dakdak lang .. pero wala naman silang binibigay na solution... puro pagpapabango sa mga sectors na kanilang "nire represent".. para saan? for them to be in power.. look at how many seats they have now via partylist...

4. local media coverage - again.. they prefer to do it closer to the hearts of the filipino public.. the very passionate and emotional theme... i'm not saying na huwag i feature yung emotional side (the family left here, etc).. but at least naman, give equal time to the other effects... our standing on the international community, the possible effects in our economy... the media is a good vehicle for education... sana wag laging i sensationalize ang issues... educate the masses... lumalala man ang educational system natin.. at least sana naman makatulong ang media natin para tumalino ang pilipino... pero sa nangyayari... iba eh...