..and sadly fighting has already broken out in the Philippines as they go to the polls in the Presidential and Congressional elections I have been out here for. Reports thus far are that 6 people have been killed. Think about that every time you hear people moan about our own elections, even with the twists and turns we're seeing in the UK now.
All in around 90 people have died in the run up to this critical chance for Filipinos, who have suffered martial law and dictatorship in recent decades, to decide who runs their country. At the moment Noy Noy Aquino, son of the late President Aquino appears to be headed for a landslide, but doubts persist about the election itself. The fear is more people will die, bluntly.
Its been a privilidge to be out here and working with fellow citizen journalists and bloggers in part who themselves perform a vital role in the putting of information into the public domain so voters are kept informed. On a personal level I was coming back to the hotel at night and posting stories about things in Shepherd's Bush that were at once boring in comparison but at the same time made me feel just how lucky we are to live where we do. My Filipino equivalents were returning to report on developments relating to political killings like this.
And before you think this is irrelevant to the Bush, how many people live in W12 as a result of armed conflict? I'd say plenty. These conflicts are part of us, part of our problem. About time we asked our politicians to take a bit more notice I'd say.
I'm back in the Bush on wednesday after 3 very long weeks. Looking forward to it!
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