Two suspects shot during arrest, 3rd dies after jumping from police vehicle in Tanzanian student murder probe

Mbeya. Police in Mbeya have confirmed that two suspects were fatally shot during an attempted arrest in Chunya District and that a third suspect later died after allegedly jumping from a police vehicle, in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Mzumbe University student Shyrose Mabula.

The victim, a second-year law student, was reported missing on September 14, 2025 and her charred body was discovered on September 16, 2025 in the Nane Nane area of Isyesye Ward, Mbeya City. Regional Police Commander Benjamin Kuzaga said preliminary inquiries indicate the perpetrators intended to abduct Ms Mabula for ransom and, when that failed, killed her, poured herbicide, strangled her with a rope and set the body alight in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.

Commander Kuzaga told The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwananchi on Monday that police arrested Marwa John (25), a resident of Uzunguni A, on September 24, 2025. Marwa is said to have confessed and identified Edward Kayuni. Mwantembele, described by police as a security guard, later cooperated and guided officers to locations in Chunya District where the other suspects were believed to be hiding.

According to the commander, on September 27, officers travelled to Chalangwa Village, Chunya District, after Mr Mwantembele led them to a rendezvous point where Mr Kayuni was believed to be hiding. When officers moved to arrest Mr Kayuni he drew a knife and threatened the team.

He was then shot in the leg. “Warning shots were fired but the suspect resisted and was subsequently shot in the leg,” Commander Kuzaga said.

During that fracas Mwantembele also attempted to flee despite warnings and several shots being fired into the air; he was subsequently shot in the leg and the chest. Both men were rushed to Chunya District Hospital but died while receiving treatment, Commander Kuzaga said.

After killing Shyrose it was alleged that Marwa chopped off her right-hand finger and took it to a witchdoctor who was alleged concealing items believed to be linked to the killing. The police ordered Marwa to take them to the witchdoctor.

But on the way he, allegedly, jumped from the police vehicle. Inquiries into the exact circumstances of his death are continuing.

In searches carried out by investigators, police said they recovered two handcuffs (locally known as pingu), two forged Tanzania People’s Defence Force identity cards, mobile phones containing images alleged to be linked to criminal activity and the victim’s undergarments, which, police say, were reportedly taken to a traditional healer for ritual purposes. Commander Kuzaga characterised the case as one motivated by financial gain.

“Our preliminary investigations show the suspects intended to obtain money from the victim’s family through abduction and, when that failed, they killed her to conceal evidence,” he said. Family reaction Reacting to the arrests and the subsequent deaths of the suspects, Dr Mabula Mahande, the victim’s father, praised the police for their professionalism and the assistance given to the family throughout the inquiry.

“I commend our police for fulfilling their duties. I request that they be equipped with modern tools because criminals change their methods every day; with better communication equipment they will be more effective,” he said, urging residents to help expose criminals living in their communities.

The Regional Police issued a public appeal against pursuing wealth through criminal means. “The police call on citizens to abandon the desire to obtain money and property by unlawful means.

Crime does not pay and the long arm of the law will reach those responsible wherever they are,” Commander Kuzaga said. Investigations into the circumstances of Ms Mabula’s death remain ongoing and police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward and assist in the inquiry.

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Parts of Metro Manila, nearby provinces to have rain Tuesday afternoon

Moderate to heavy rain showers are being experienced over parts of Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon on Tuesday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

In a thunderstorm advisory released at 1:50 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the following areas are experiencing moderate to heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds, which may persist within two hours and may affect nearby areas:

Metro Manila (Valenzuela, Malabon, Caloocan, Navotas)

Quezon (Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Patnanungan, Jomalig, Tagkawayan)

Bulacan (Meycauayan, Marilao, Obando, Bulakan, Malolos, Paombong, Hagonoy)

Bataan (Samal, Abucay, Orani, Hermosa, Balanga, Pilar)

Batangas (San Luis, Bauan, San Pascual, Alitagtag, Santa Teresita, Batangas City) which may persist within 2 hours and may affect nearby areas.

The weather condition is likewise expected to drench the following areas within the next two to three hours:

Rizal

Laguna

Cavite

Pampanga

Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

Zambales

‘All are advised to take precautionary measures against the impacts associated with these hazards which include flash floods and landslides,’ the weather bureau said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pagasa reported that Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon may experience cloudy skies with rain showers due to easterlies, or the warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean.

Meanwhile, a new low-pressure area was formed outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday morning and currently has a ‘medium’ chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.

’The Psychology of Money’ by Morgan Housel: Everything has a price

Some topics are too important to ignore, and money is one of them. Yet in many homes, it is often left unspoken, even though it fuels misunderstandings in families, friendships, and romantic relationships.

Simply put, money is a sensitive subject. However, it is one we must discuss.

Today, we’re looking at it through Morgan Housel’s perspective in his book The Psychology of Money. Housel centres his book on how human beings behave with money, shaped by the lives they’ve lived and the beliefs they carry.

In the opening chapter, No One is Crazy, he explains that people often make unusual choices with money, but that doesn’t make them irrational. What feels reckless to one person might feel perfectly reasonable to another.

Our lived experiences shape the way we see money. As Housel puts it, “The person who grew up in poverty thinks about risks and rewards in ways that the child of a wealthy banker cannot fathom if he tried.

” It reminded me that when I don’t understand someone’s financial choices, it may be less about logic and more about the story behind their life. Do you believe in luck? Or are you among those who think success comes only from hard work? I believe in luck.

Much because of luck, or grace, if you will. Money is no different.

Luck plays a significant role. Housel puts it beautifully: luck and risk are siblings.

Every outcome in life is guided by forces beyond our effort alone. When it comes to money, you need both the grace of luck and the courage to take risks.

Housel illustrates this through the story of Bill Gates. As a teenager, Gates attended one of the few high schools with a computer lab.

There, he met his friend and future cofounder, Paul Allen. Luck opened that door, but so did their willingness to dream big and take risks.

From that combination, Microsoft was born. Gates himself admits, “If there had been no Lakeside, there would be no Microsoft.

” One of the lessons that stood out for me is around the idea of “never enough”. Housel shows how dangerous it can be to keep chasing more without ever defining what enough looks like.

There will always be someone richer, smarter, or more successful, and if we measure our happiness against that, we will always feel lacking. For me, it comes down to contentment.

To be happy, you have to learn to appreciate what you already have. The next big thing, whether it’s a promotion, a new car, or even more money, won’t necessarily make you happier if you haven’t found peace with what’s in front of you.

Having enough means refraining from comparing yourself with others. “The point is that the ceiling of social comparison is so high that virtually no one will ever hit it.

Which means it’s a battle that can never be won, or the only way to win is to accept that you might have enough, even if it’s less than those around you.” Housel argues that the highest form of wealth is not more money but the ability to control your time.

To wake up and decide how you will spend your day, that is real richness. When I think about it, the moments I treasure most are not tied to how much I had in my account but to how free I felt with my time.

Choosing to spend a slow morning with a book, or taking a walk just because I wanted to. Housel reminds us that saving is not just about buying something in the future; it is about preparing for the uncertainty of tomorrow.

Life can change unexpectedly, and having savings gives you the freedom to face those changes without losing control of your time. For example, much of Warren Buffett’s wealth came not only from smart investments but also from the fact that he started early.

By saving and investing at a young age, time worked in his favour, allowing compounding to do its magic. “His skill is investing, but his secret is time.

And that’s how compounding works,” he writes. The Psychology of Money is a book about how to earn and keep money.

It explores behaviour and mindset around money. As you reach the last page, you will see the need to pay attention to your progress, because progress happens too slowly to notice, but setbacks happen too quickly to ignore.

As you plan for your future, remember that planning is important, but the most crucial part of every plan is preparing for it not going according to plan. This book is for anyone seeking to expand their knowledge of personal finance management.

Jane Shussa is a digital communication specialist with a love for books, coffee, nature, and travel. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Teaching students how to learn will transform our education for generations

In education as a whole, strategy plays an unimaginably significant role. This entails strategy not only in teaching but also in the entire process of adjudging the needs, discerning educational topics and materials, in the delivery process, and in the receiving process on the side of learners.

The educational cycle feeds itself and builds on the work done in the preceding cycle. The educational needs are the societal problems, the gaps needing solution; yet to attain these, a certain amount of groundwork is needed as a foundation; hence, we have curricula to guide the whole formal process.

The delivery of knowledge to learners is not the final stage of the process, nor are the grades the learners get. After learning, there is assessment, constructive feedback, reflection, application (in context), and adaptation of the content and the preparation process.

Educationists call this the teaching and learning cycle. Despising an appropriate strategy in any of these sections irreparably affects the productivity of the whole chain, regardless of the quality of work or output in the unaffected sections of the chain.

As such, we can say that education is, by its very form, content, and function, ‘a chain reaction’, contingent on the indispensable interdependence of all players in the process. For most learners, being educated at school is about memorising.

Why? Because that is how the system orients them to see education. Most learners view schooling as a reward system and themselves as heroes, depending on how high up the reward ladder they are ranked.

One is not considered smart, creative, or intelligent unless the grading system says so! All creativity and innovativeness have to be shrunk to fit into the demands of the spoon-feeding system, which, unfortunately, kills many dreams and talents. The question is whether learners are taught how to learn.

We cannot just presume that people, especially young people, know how to learn academically. Learning goes beyond reading and understanding books.

Learning is a process of integration, like putting together puzzle pieces until the whole picture makes sense. True learning sparks curiosity and stimulates the desire to keep exploring.

This is only possible if learners are helped to first discover their areas of interest, not just their areas of performance. A child may perform better in a subject they have no interest in simply because they like the teacher, but that interest evaporates when the teacher is changed.

The most outstanding ground for one’s interest is what they naturally feel curious about. There is no harm in exposing them to many options before making them express freely what they like to engage in, mostly in academics.

A learning process that does not involve the learner’s consent and feelings has a higher chance of achieving little or nothing by either producing uninterested experts who only do their jobs to earn a living, as what they do was never their passion. Teaching children how to learn helps them identify their interests and preferred learning styles, enabling them to become the best versions of themselves.

If the goal of education is to make people the best versions of themselves, then these considerations are of paramount importance. It is equally important to consider that times have changed, even if much of what is taught remains the same.

Worth considering is the fact that globally, the education system is handling young people who have a very different exposure, given the facility of technology, demographics, labour market demands and dynamics, and the fast-paced globalisation, among others. These factors affect the way they view education and its entire process, and even the questions they ask are different compared to questions asked by learners of the same levels 30 years ago.

The sooner we come to terms with this fact and are considerate of their worldview, the better chance we have of making education functionally relevant to them. The education system should be a means of transformation, not just a pipeline where people pass through with changed credentials yet remain untransformed.

In Tanzania, where 77 per cent of the population (about 47.5 million people) is under 35, education is the best legacy we can give them and the next generations, especially considering that the majority of the nationals are marginally represented in the national policy-making roundtables. This group is by far a ‘surviving’ group, with most of them not having life figured out due to unemployment and other systemic shortcomings beyond their control.

It is a testimony to poor planning, given that statistics obtained every year could have been used for comprehensive predictions and plans in anticipation of the problems we have now. If this had been done, we would be much further than we are, as we have a surplus of workforce in the young people of this nation.

To improve the quality of our education, we need well-articulated strategies which prioritise the role of learners, not just instructors. Shimbo Pastory is an advocate for positive social transformation and a student of the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines.

Website: “underlinewww.shimbopastory.

com .

Lexus Manila Gallery redefines the luxury showroom experience

Lexus Manila has recently relocated to its new home in BGC, offering customers a larger space that feels more like a car lover’s retreat than a showroom. Called Lexus Manila Gallery, the 3-story building includes a roof deck and invites customers to relax and discover Lexus in an environment shaped by Japanese hospitality and craftsmanship.

As Lexus Philippines’ largest facility yet, the expansive property not only offers a more immersive brand experience but also accommodates a significantly greater service capacity.

Lexus Manila Gallery coffee bar

Designed by Casas Architects, Lexus Manila Gallery was created following Omotenashi, the Japanese philosophy of anticipating one’s needs. The result is a space that features a natural flow from the entrance that welcomes guests to the lounges arranged for conversation.

The design firm used natural wood, stone, and leather, following Japanese sensibilities, which add warmth and texture to the aesthetic. Keeping the environment mindful in the scheme, they also used low-VOC paints, eco-conscious tiles, and renewable finishes, including energy-efficient lighting, which casts the best light on the vehicles on display.

Beyond the car display, the showroom brings together a full suite of services for Lexus customers. Sales and after-sales support continue to be housed under one roof with improved dedicated spaces for consultations, new car releases, and vehicle servicing.

Lexus Manila Gallery driveway

Customers can also look forward to personalised assistance, including a coffee bar which will serve brews only found there, exclusive events, and a level of attention that mirrors the Lexus ownership experience.

The Lexus Manila Gallery redefines what a car showroom should be. It’s not only about the cars as the centerpiece, but how people feel while they are there. With Casa Architects shaping the vision paired with Lexus DNA, the Lexus Manila Gallery is a modern sanctuary in the heart of BGC and reflects the brand’s belief in precision, hospitality, and a lifestyle defined by care in every detail.

Tanzanite secure place in Africa World Cup qualifier next round

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s U-20 women’s national team, the Tanzanite Queens, continued their impressive run in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 away victory over Angola last Saturday.

The result secured them a spot in the third round with a commanding 6-0 aggregate score. Although the win underlined their dominance, head coach Bakari Shime and his technical bench admitted that the encounter was a learning experience, revealing weaknesses that must be addressed if the team is to remain competitive in the tournament.

“It was a good match for us and one that gives us a clearer picture of how to prepare for the next challenge,” said Shime. “We made several mistakes across all departments–defense, midfield and attack.

We have a lot of work to do, but I believe that with better preparation time ahead of the next game, we will perform even better.” Shime stressed the importance of self-assessment and internal improvement rather than focusing solely on future opponents.

“Our biggest task is to examine ourselves and identify the specific shortcomings that need fixing. Once we strengthen our own game, it will not matter who we face.

At our best, we can handle any team that comes our way.” The Tanzanite Queens will now prepare to meet the winner between Kenya and Ethiopia, who faced off yesterday evening in Nairobi.

That match will determine Tanzania’s third-round opponent in what is expected to be a more demanding test. Shime added that his side’s success should not mask the need for consistent growth.

He said that continuous development will be crucial not only for the current qualifiers but also for the broader ambition of building a strong women’s football foundation in Tanzania. The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Poland from September 6 to 27 next year, bringing together 24 of the world’s best teams.

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BIZ BUZZ: Philippine Airlines captures ‘4 stars’

Philippines Airlines (PAL) keeps soaring higher, as it has just bagged a prestigious 4-Star Major Airline 2026 rating.

The flag carrier earned the award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (Apex), a US-based air travel organization.

Airlines securing this status mean that they ‘consistently deliver excellence across critical touch points-cabin comfort, cleanliness, food and beverage, inflight entertainment, connectivity and customer service.’

Taking home the recognition is seen to boost PAL’s global credibility as well as cement its position against rivals.

‘Being recognized by APEX, the world’s leading airline industry association, is a significant milestone for Philippine Airlines,’ said Carlos Luis Fernandez, PAL executive vice president and chief operating officer.

‘We remain steadfast in sustaining the highest standards of service for the welfare of the passengers we serve across our global network,’ Fernandez added.

PAL also earlier clinched the 2025 Flyers’ Choice Award as the second most preferred airline in Southeast Asia.

The group flies to 31 destinations in the Philippines and 38 routes in Asia, North America, Australia and the Middle East. -Lisbet K. Esmael

DTI chief to lead Asean Ministers meeting

It’s official: the Philippines will host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic (Asean) Ministers in 2026.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque will assume the post of Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting chair, succeeding Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

In her speech, Roque emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to elevating the region’s economic growth and cooperation through AEM, which is responsible for advancing the region’s economic agenda.

‘Let me assure you that the Philippines will uphold the true spirit of Asean-fostering development, strengthening bonds and deepening friendship among its member countries,’ the trade chief said.

She added that the Philippines ‘is ready to take on the gavel with unwavering commitment and purpose,’ building on Malaysia’s momentum to lead the region.

Let’s hope that Roque can muster more energy to transform the newly issued Asean Community Vision 2045 into concrete opportunities to generate jobs, stimulate innovation and promote inclusive growth for businesses and people across the region.

Even without the AEM chairmanship, Roque already has a lot on her plate-from selling the Philippines as an investment destination to ironing out issues on contractor accreditation and licensing. -Jordeene B. Lagare

Salceda leads climate talks

As the government scrambles to address public rage over corruption among high-ranking officials, climate-related talks will be brewing elsewhere.

We’re talking about the Leaders in the Asia-Pacific for Building Ambitious Climate Momentum Toward COP30 that will be held on Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand.

Former Albay Rep. Joey Salceda will lead the talks for the Philippines in his capacity as the former cochair of the United Nations Green Climate Fund and chair of the Institute for Risk and Strategic Studies Inc., or Salceda Research.

He is expected to stress the ‘right of developing countries to development, the need for expanded climate financing and the recognition of loss and damage as central to climate justice.’

This is a crucial development, especially since the Bangkok event is the first major regional platform in Southeast Asia to bring together lawmakers, experts and communities to specifically discuss climate solutions ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties.

Let’s hope that this creates a ripple effect-and not another flood. -MEG J. ADONIS INQ

New mining rules force joint ventures to boost citizen participation

Dodoma. The government has announced new amendments to the Mining (Local Content) Regulations aimed at strengthening the participation of indigenous Tanzanian companies and financial institutions in the country’s mining sector.

Published under Government Notice No. 563 of September 12, 2025, the amendments introduce stricter requirements for foreign companies, new compliance timelines, and additional sub-plans for local content reporting.

One of the most significant changes is the requirement for non-indigenous companies seeking to supply goods or services to mining contractors, subcontractors, licensees, or the State Mining Corporation to form joint ventures with local firms. These joint ventures must include an indigenous Tanzanian company that is 100 percent citizen-owned and operating in the same line of business.

According to the notice the local partner is required to hold at least 20 percent equity, unless the goods and services fall under an exemption which is set to be published separately. The regulations also introduce a new provision requiring the Mining Commission to publish, in the Gazette and other platforms, a list of goods and services that must be supplied exclusively by Tanzanian-owned firms.

Further, the amendments expand the scope of local content plans. Companies must now include both a banking services sub-plan and a procurement sub-plan in their submissions.

In addition, if the Mining Commission fails to respond to a revised local content plan within 50 working days, the plan will be deemed automatically approved. The updated framework also redefines thresholds for sole-sourced contracts.

Any mining-related contract valued at more than the equivalent of $10,000 will now require stricter scrutiny and compliance with local content rules. Other technical adjustments include revisions to prequalification requirements for bidders, clarification of reporting obligations, and the inclusion of the Director of the Mineral Audit and Trading Department in the oversight framework.

The notice which was signed by Minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde aims at reforms that are intended to deepen local participation, build capacity among Tanzanian companies, and ensure the country benefits more equitably from its mineral wealth. The move comes as Tanzania continues to tighten its mining sector governance, balancing efforts to attract foreign investment with a push to maximize local benefits from the country’s vast mineral resources.

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Folz praises squad strength after eliminating Wiliete

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Mainland champions Young Africans (Yanga) continued their strong start to the season with a 2-0 home victory over Angola’s Wiliete Benguela, securing progression to the next round of the CAF Champions League with a commanding 5-0 aggregate score.

Yanga head coach Romain Folz praised the consistency and reliability of his core squad, noting that their performance across competitions has been crucial to the team’s success. “We have a strong and reliable squad.

These players have delivered results match after match, and their consistency gives us a solid foundation to compete at the highest level,” said Folz. He also addressed the challenge of balancing squad rotation with maintaining performance.

“We rotate where necessary, but keeping a rhythm is important. Our core players have proven their quality, and the rest are developing alongside them,” he added.

In the second-leg clash at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Pacome Zouzoua once again stole the spotlight, opening the scoring with a brilliant display of skill. Aziz Andabwile added the second goal, cementing Yanga’s dominance over the Angolan side.

Folz singled out Pacome for his tactical intelligence and ability to unsettle defenders. “Players like him give us a real advantage, both domestically and in continental competitions,” he said.

This season, across four competitive matches–including the Community Shield win over Simba (1-0), the CAF Champions League first-leg victory in Angola (3-0), the Mainland Tanzania Premier League opener against Pamba Jiji (3-0), and the recent second-leg win over Wiliete (2-0)–Folz has relied heavily on a core group of players. Overall, Yanga’s scoring form have been impressive.

The team opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bandari FC of Kenya during Mwananchi Day, followed by the Community Shield triumph over Simba. They went on to defeat Pamba Jiji 3-0 in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League and later eliminated Wiliete Benguela with a 5-0 goal aggregate.

Folz’s focus remains on leveraging squad consistency and tactical intelligence to maintain momentum across both domestic and continental competitions. “Every match teaches us something.

Our discipline, depth, and the quality of our players are what will help Yanga continue to grow,” he said. .

Sanctuaries

I was stunned by the headlines in American media this Monday morning, the breaking news being a multi-pronged attack on a Mormon (Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) church.

It was Sunday morning in Michigan, with worshippers inside the church. A gunman crashed his vehicle into the church, set the church on fire, then began shooting, killing at least four people and wounding another eight. The gunman was killed in the exchange of fire with the police.

Mass shootings in schools have become all too common in the United States, but places of worship are increasingly vulnerable as well-churches, synagogues, mosques.

The attacks on schools and places of worship create more anxiety about the situation in the US, reflecting an epidemic of bloody and deadly violence triggered by differences in beliefs, religious and secular. The attacks on places of worship are more specific, reflecting a polarized nation, now driven by hatred.

The news from Michigan got me thinking about our own situation. We have had attacks on mosques and churches, mainly in Mindanao. As far as I can remember, we have not had shootings in schools, but let’s not forget that schools have been attacked by military and paramilitary units in Mindanao, almost all involving schools put up for lumads (indigenous peoples of Mindanao), and which have been Red-tagged as institutions for communist indoctrination. The government attacks have resulted in many of the lumad schools being closed down, with an estimated 10,000 students now deprived of schooling. (These schools are put up by religious groups, mainly Catholic, and students are scholars.)

Just last week, I attended the inauguration of a commemorative photo exhibit at Adamson University about the lumad, part of a larger archiving project that documents how the schools were established and how they evolved.

After the inauguration, I talked with some young faculty, and the conversation shifted to the Sept. 21 rally against corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways, focusing on one contingent of youth who were not with organized rallyists. Violence broke out mainly around Mendiola as police went after this group. At least two were killed in the attacks by the police.

Thinking of the attacks in the US and in the Philippines, I thought about how, in the 1970s, during martial law, systems were put in place among activist groups to protect rallyists. I remember the briefings by ‘veteran’ activists: observing a buddy system from start until finish, even accompanying others back to dorms and homes; following instructions from marshals (e.g., ‘dapa!’ meaning to crouch or squat, and the most serious, ‘takbo! (run!).’

First-aid teams were also in place, many of them medical and nursing students (and an occasional stray veterinary student). The activists also had networks in place with the hospitals and sympathetic hospital staff. Under martial law, any bullet wound had to be reported to the police or the Armed Forces, so hospital admissions had to be discreet.

There was a respite in the government’s violence after martial law, but under former President Rodrigo Duterte, violence resumed: beatings, illegal detention, disappearances. And now, under President Marcos, we see another surge in violence, like what we saw last Sept. 21, with corruption now drawing protesters of all ages.

Through all these years-more than 60 years if you think of the repressive responses even during democratic interludes-we never really tapped the concept of sanctuaries, which was strong in Europe and goes back to the Middle Ages. Both churches and universities offered sanctuaries for people being persecuted for daring to express dissent. These included political as well as religious protesters, for example, Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation leaders. Being within a church building or a university campus assured safety, if not one’s life.

Informally, university officials like me (as University of the Philippines Diliman chancellor), argued for sanctuary in the name of academic freedom. The lumad students who needed to continue their schooling were among those offered sanctuary, not just in UP but also in religious universities.

We now live in troubled times throughout the world, and we, in the Philippines, should think of ways to put up more sanctuaries, sacred spaces, safe spaces. Goodness, if we have sanctuaries for birds and threatened animals, then all the more we need them for our youth, and more. It’s not just sanctuaries but disaster preparedness of a different kind. Over the weekend, I talked with a grandmother in her 60s, not your usual street protester, who proudly related her Sept. 21 experience, and how she was planning to buy foldable seats to share with other senior citizens!