JASMINE IN MY MIND

“Marlene says her son went into hiding because they knew they were up into an influential person - the victim’s father - and couldn’t possibly find justice in the country. But if her theory is to be believed, if in fact her son is the victim of a conspiracy, then wouldn’t his innocence be his prime defense?” - R. J. David, PDI, 01/24/2010

Watching Marlene Aguilar spew defense for her son Ivler leads me back to a remarkable story my Nanay and Tatay repeatedly told in my childhood. Those storytelling sessions by the way, mostly happens when one of us did something wrong. For the record, I hold the distinction of committing the most of our little “crimes” from fist-fighting with my cousins to bawling with my younger sibs over television channels. In short, I was the most suplada. Hmmmm. But take note of the ‘was’.

My father would tell us the story of a young man about to be sentenced to death. As his execution comes near, the jail officials asked for his last wishes. He said he only have one: to see his mother for the very last time. The latter came to bid her son’s last request. On that certain day, the son asked: “Mother, why did you not tell me what I was doing then was unjust and wrong? Why didn’t you correct me when I did so many bad things in the past? And now I am going to pay those with my life…”. The mother said tearfully, “..because I love you that much, son! I could not bear to see you hurt or unhappy!”. With that, the young man asked if he can kiss his mother, but instead he bit his mother’s ear so hard until she bleeds and cries to death.

How violent. My young mind did not bother validating if it was a true account though. All I know is that having heard of it countless times inculcated in me the crucial role played by parents in the lives of children. Parenting is like cooking in many ways. Never set the fire too low for it will leave your meal uncooked. Never set the fire too high, or you’ll end up eating a piece of charcoal. Marlene seem to epitomize that and gives  parenthood such a bad name. In most of her interviews (that I watch despite my irritation), I can see her attempt to cover up the real issue and bring the limelight to her instead. Is this what a mother’s supposed to be? No wonder her son grew up that way. Am I being judgmental? Perhaps I am. Perhaps not? Who in his right mind would shoot a complete stranger simply because a  misunderstanding ensued? Traffic altercations doesn’t give anyone, not even a HOT young man (lets qualify that as being born to alta/high profile parents with looks enough to attract a horde of fans), the license to murder humans. I wonder if he has any blood relations with Mayor Ampatuan.

Mistaken Identity. So they were claiming innocence. And yet, there are the more innocent ones who had been dragged to this. 26 year old Jason Aguilar from Bulacan was detained for having been mistaken as Ivler. He worked as welder in Qatar to support his family in the Philippines. We learned later on that aside from mistaken identity, he was also a victim of illegal recruiters. Some recruitment agencies have no heart. They’ll suck your blood until you become lifeless!

I felt bad knowing that Aguilar was arrested by the Qatari police and had to stay for seven days in prison with no idea why he was jailed in the first place. He doesn’t even know the story behind Mr. Ivler and yet he had to endure all that. I mean, he wore the same clothes from day 1 to day 7. What if it had been one of us? I for one could not think of better ways to get out of the situation sane and intact. Had Marlene Aguilar surrendered her son the first time an offense was made, no innocent people will be involved. What if it was you?

Extra Bragging Rights. For the nth time, Ms. Aguilar did not fail to mention her books, her son’s being a former special forces member, her works of art, but never really answered questions about the road-rage shooting incident (one with a stranger and the other with Ebarle’s son). Of course people have every right to fair trial but as a popular adage goes “res ipsa loquitor”. The only thing missing is court trial. If he is innocent, as his camp claims — why did he go into hiding? Why should Marlene Aguilar deceive the police and the people that his son suddenly went missing? People are not that stupid. They can easily detect it when you’re lying under your teeth. The last time you were blaming the Americans as the root and cause of your son’s plight, now you’re asking them to “rescue” him.

To be continued

Posted Family and Parenting |