Pubdate: Fri, 29 Jul 2016
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Column: (Keeps Trouble Away)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2016
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Jose C. Sison

WORRISOME DEVELOPMENTS

All told, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's first State of the Nation 
Address (SONA) really inspires hope for a better Philippines in the 
future. The "show" at the Batasan looks so authentic and natural 
indeed, devoid of any semblance of artificiality. What we saw is what 
we got especially the persona of Duterte as a man of the masses to 
whom most Filipinos can relate.

He really looks so sincere and raring to tackle his job as he entered 
the halls of Congress in Barong Tagalog with rolled up sleeves.

Somehow, the image he projected created an impression that "he means 
what he says." And the Filipinos readily understood his plans because 
they are plain and simple common sense which are doable and 
achievable. The expectations are high indeed that finally we will 
have a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

The first noticeable change is manifested in the SONA itself.

It is not as formal as it used to be. In fact Duterte himself regaled 
and entertained us when he deviated from his prepared speech and 
resorted to amusing ad lib. Thus the 30-minute speech lasted for one 
hour and 30 minutes.

Some drama with cinematic effect has also been injected into the affair.

An award winning director has even been hired that made the event 
like an epic movie production centered on Duterte as the brave and 
dashing hero. Obviously, this is the aspect of the SONA that made 
Duterte click with the masa.

But this "showbiz" aspect of the SONA somehow impels us to look with 
guarded optimism at the rosy future he has painted for our country 
during his term. We should temper our high expectations with our 
experiences in the past administrations that tried to project the 
same image at the start which turned out later on to be only for show 
and not for real. While some concrete moves and positive actions have 
already been taken since he assumed office, the only tangible results 
are in the war against trafficking and use of dangerous drugs. 
Noteworthy in this regard is the surrender of thousands of people 
suspected to be involved in illegal drugs since he won the election 
last May 9 up to the present, barely less than a month after he assumed office.

People seem to really welcome this unprecedented development 
especially Duterte's diehard supporters.

Worrisome however is that the method used in his antidrug campaign 
seems to be in conflict with his policy statements. In his inaugural 
speech, he promised to uphold the rule of law. In his SONA he also 
mentioned about giving every one, particularly his officials who 
betray the public trust, "their day in court." Yet he has apparently 
allowed the on-going summary executions of suspected drug users, 
pushers and dealers most of whom are poor. These summary executions 
and vigilante killings have alarmingly escalated.

Presently, 10 drug suspects are killed daily.

In his SONA Duterte stated that "human rights must work to uplift 
human dignity.

But human rights cannot be used as a shield to destroy your country 
and my country." He must be reminded however that "the guarantee of 
due process of law assures protection to anyone against State action 
resulting in the deprivation of his life" (Fernando, Constitution of 
the Philippines, p. 519). The police power of a State cannot prevail 
over the right to life of a human being.

The greatest danger in the on-going summary execution is the possible 
mistake in killing an innocent person.

Their involvement in drugs has not yet been proven.

In Pangasinan, two innocent students have been reported killed in the 
spate of street executions called "cardboard justice." One is a 
graduating Mass Communication student named Rowena Tiamson, only 22 
years old, an honor student and an active church choir member.

The other is Roman Clifford Manaois, only 20 years who was about to 
finish a seaman's course Roman's killing somehow has a greater impact 
since he is a related grandson of Melandrew Velasco, a fellow 
Rotarian and past president of the Rotary Club of Cubao West, a 
publicist and biographer. To those who may not care at all as they 
are not related, let me just quote the following account of Mel on 
Roman or "Oman":

"Oman" was about to graduate from a seaman's course this month and 
was due for deployment this November as service crew in Dubai. He was 
a good son, a former sacristan and had big dreams for himself and his 
family. His grandparents just arrived last July 17 from Oakland, 
California for a family vacation... Indeed, it was so tragic for the 
vacationing grandparents to experience such painful death of their 
beloved grandson who was invariably taking care of them upon their 
arrival, doing little errands, serving them food and helping out in 
some minor repairs in their own unfinished house.

On that fateful night, Oman just finished serving food to his granny 
when he was invited by a tricycle driver-friend named Marvin de Vera 
to go to Dagupan City public market for a meal. On the way, they 
picked up a passenger named Zaldy Abalos who requested to be alighted 
near the Missionaries of Charity. As Zaldy was paying his fare, two 
men riding a motorcycle in tandem suddenly shot Zaldy at close range 
and riddled other parts of his body. Then the assailants shot Oman at 
the back that pierced through his heart  and wanting to make sure 
that he was dead, shot him at the right side of his temple.

Oman's autopsy yielded negative result on any trace of any drug use or abuse.

While there are plus points in the raging war against illegal drugs 
with over 90 percent of barangays already infested by the drug 
menace, methinks that as a humane and just society, we can only 
create a better Philippines if we root the real Public Enemy No. 1: 
widespread poverty.

As Mahatma Ghandi once said: "I object to violence because when it 
appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent."

Apparently Duterte's policy devalues human life. In his SONA, he also 
wants to give full force and effect to the RH Law. He must be 
reminded however that the provision of the RH law on the use of 
contraceptive pills that primarily and secondarily cause abortion, 
has already been declared unconstitutional and therefore cannot be implemented.

Let us therefore be vigilant in promoting the sanctity of human life. 
Otherwise our society may eventually end up with numerous senseless 
killings. The signs are starting to crop up as shown by the recent 
gunning down of a bicycle rider by an irate motorist in the streets 
of Quiapo, Manila.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom