During our Extemporaneous speaking competition on February 18, the question given to me was "How did the Tragedy of the Fallen 44 affect you?"

I didn't really watch the news. I answered what just came to mind and lost the contest. So, this morning, when I looked things up, a personal opinion came to mind, how were the Fallen 44 praised as Heroes??

I mean, think about it. The price for taking out the terrorists was 60 million dollars. The Filipinos that died, I'm pretty sure they were after the money. Now, I'm not saying this to offend anybody but why risk their lives for this when it could have been done way before now?? It was because money was involved. I know that you guys are thinking that the people that would receive the money could use it for a better lifestyle and to make their families' lifestyles better. It's Filipino character to think about their families first. But, did they really have to risk their lives JUST for the money they were going to receive? That's not Nationality.

Why are they considered Heroes when there were other people before them that fought and didn't receive any honor as they did?? There was no money before. But now that money was involved, how were they considered Heroes when the act looked very greedy.
It just enters the mind that you just go when money is involved and that's not a kind of values that people should follow. Why waste your life when you know that the war is not going to end? Because money was involved.

It's really sad how money is controlling the world. :( Ironically, I joined this organization named DOLLARS. I just joined it because of the anime. XD But when I think about it, DOLLARS are not doing things for the money but to make the world a better place.

There's still more to the story a while ago. The Philippine Government and Mindanao are having a congress that the government can take over Mindanao but they will not meddle with its resources. It just shows what the government is after, the glory of taking over the natural resources of Mindanao because that part of the Philippines is very rich of it. It just shows why some of the people of Mindanao wants to rule their own sovereignty and step away from the Philippine government. They want to rule themselves.

Once again, greed was shown here.

When one person has something, the other person wants it. Crab mentality.

I honestly just wanted to say this because I just opened my eyes to this reality. I wanted to speak my mind and put some pieces together. It's really unfair the the Fallen 44 wasted their lives and the war is still going on. And another thing I just realized, where did their armor go?? The guns and stuff like that. Let's hope it wasn't sold to the black market.

What did you talk about in your speech. I never did Extemp on speech team but I have seen a few. Based on your opinions over the Fallen 44, I'm curious as to what you talked about.

I have to agree with you. It might offend some people but it's sorta true. Why are people offered rewards for finding information on federal fugitives? Because it gives them more incentive to actually do something. And when you see a 'hero' from the street that called in and helped catch this criminal, they're on the news saying that 'Bringing them to justice is it's own reward.' and yet they still want the money. Yes money is important, because in today's society it's incredibly hard to survive without money.

Money is what everyone wants. That's just unfortunately how it is. If you were offered something like 60 million dollars, many people would be ready to do just about anything.

this is simple because they are human

It was their choice to enter and they were prepared to die just for their family and country. Whether money is involve or not, the act of courage is something to be admired nowadays. Granted, they aren't the only brave people in the world, you still have to admire them for what they've accomplished.

There is also a double-edged sword. Their family is stricken is grief and the country lost loyal soldiers. This incident exposed the nature of the current president.

Either way, they are labeled as heroes because of what they did for their country. Regarding people that weren't labeled heroes before them, they just didn't receive any recognition but I hardly hear any news nowadays that's similar to what happened in this incident.

People say that if they were offered money they would do anything is also an assumption.