An American writes an open letter to anti-Duterte people and priest who laugh Davao tragedies

Jonathan Watson, an American netizen who is currently based in Davao wrote an open letter addressed to those anti-Duterte who laughed at President Duterte for crying over the victims.

Also, it was mentioned on the letter a priest who allegedly put a laugh emoticon over the article reporting the tragedies of Davao.

Please read his full open letter below:

Jonathan A Watson, photo from his Facebook account

Dear people outside of Davao,

I understand some of you hate Duterte. If that's your opinion, okay, that's fine. But all of us are mourning right now over the flood and fire, and we do not appreciate you laughing at him for crying over the victims. Just because you perceive someone to be a bad politician, doesn't mean that he/she doesn't have a sense of human empathy. All of us Dabaweynos mourn in solidarity. Could they be fake tears like you say? Sure, let's call your perception a possibility, but do you really think it's the time to do that? I'm not a Leni fan, but I wouldn't even do that to her.



I don't even know these victims and I cried reading after the statements of their loved ones. I found out all about it after working from midnight to six this morning helping pack relief goods for the flood evacuees. When I woke up, I was sore, not just from working my arse off to at least help do something, but sore inside from all the toxic comments. While some of us are doing something about the problems that hit our city- even Duterte, who didn't have to be there- you sit behind your computers and laugh. I know for some of you it's just concerning him, and not the victims, but we've also gotten people laughing at anything tragic that happens to us merely out of hate for a leader out from our land. If you can't pack goods, put out fires, console evacuees and victim's families, then I advise you to shut up. It's Christmas and we don't need anymore of your negativity.

I was also appalled to see a certain individual make a laugh emoticon over the article- someone who taught at Ateneo here but is originally from Manila. He's a priest. For the sake of mercy, the greatest Christmas gift given to us by our Lord, I won't reveal names. But you know who you are. I've no problem with you disliking the President, but if you're going to be a priest, act like it. Please.

That being said, to all of those making fun of the President, the situation, or both, I don't hate you. I believe you can turn around and stop. And I hope you all have a lovely Christmas. But please, for our sake here, stop with the negativity.

God bless, and Merry Christmas.
-Jonathan A. Watson

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