Is Usman really dead?

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance…” (Proverbs 20:18, the Holy Bible).

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PRO BOXING JUST FOR THE MONEY: The feeling is universal. The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, billed as the “Battle for Greatness” and “Fight of the Century”, is a dud. And both fighters are being blamed for this. Many are saying Floyd Mayweather Jr. did not fight, but ran and hugged his opponent during critical moments.

Then, some are saying Manny Pacquiao didn’t give his usual ferocious style either. The perception was that, the two of them simply coasted along, content as they were with the big money that was already assured for each of them. But, isn’t that what professional boxing is all about? Money, money, and nothing else but money? I am glad I didn’t place any bet, nor paid to watch the fight.

One week into the fight, I wrote about my misgivings about its outcome. I felt that people were being taken for a ride, and that, notwithstanding announcements that there wouldn’t be a second or more fights between the two, I was sure there would be succeeding fights, and all because of the money. When will we ever learn?

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IS USMAN REALLY DEAD? There is something bothersome about claims that Filipino bombmaker Abdul Basit Usman is already dead. Is he dead, or is he really dead? The story of a major daily about Usman’s supposed death is fueling this doubt to great heights. Imagine, in the first paragraph of the daily’s story about Usman, it was claimed that he was killed through a military operation.

Yet, in its very second paragraph, the same story of the major daily claimed that Usman was killed in a chance encounter. Surely, there is a big difference between a “military operation” and a “chance encounter”, right? Surely, when a “military operation” is referred to, it could only mean planning, countless meetings, and serious deliberations, so nothing is left to chance, right?

On the other hand, when “chance encounter” is mentioned, it could only mean accidental occurrence, not planned on, without any deliberate intention that the encounter would happen, right? That is why it is called “chance encounter”, right? So, what is the real score on the Usman story? Is he dead, really? Where is his body? Was any part thereof chopped off to prove his identity?

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THANKFUL THAT PNOY HELPED VELOSO: From lawyer Perfecto Yasay Jr., former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission: “We should all be proud and thankful that President Benigno C Aquino III played a key role towards the grant of a last minute reprieve to Mary Jane Veloso who would have been executed together with eight other drug smugglers on April 29, 2015.

“But the President should also be the first to humbly accept that his actions, albeit significant, were part of collective efforts involving the global community. He should not be bothered or feel offended by unfounded claims that he ignored helping the beleaguered Filipina death convict.”

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ARE YOU INTERESTED TO BECOME A PASTOR? We are amazed at the enthusiastic response of some people to our call here for those who are willing to be ordained as pastors and given license to preach the Word of God, after they shall have undergone a Bible study through radio and the Internet. If interested, please text or email me your name and address at the email address and phone numbers listed below. God bless you!

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REACTIONS? Please call me at +63 917 984 24 68, +63 918 574 0193, +63 922 833 43 96, or Skype (batasmauricio), Viber (+63 918 574 0193) and Line (+63 917 984 24 68). Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, melaniolazomauriciojr@outlook.com, mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.

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