Promise, no promises
Yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte gave his second State of the Nation Address, a year into his presidency. As of this writing, it's still two hours to go before he gives his address. While viewing the live feed from the venue, I couldn't help but notice how simple but elegant his guests are. The president has already said there will be no fanfare to his events; just the record straight.
In the past year during his administration, he has done his fair share of fulfilling promises. If you ask a random man on the street regarding the one year of President Duterte, what they will mention is the drug problem. According to a sociologist, Filipinos have been "into" the war against drugs of the president simply because it has been a pronouncement even before he has sat in office and when he assumed the position, immediately the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency launched into action their plans to address the problem. However, the scope of the problem which was viewed to be solved under six months was too big to handle, thus the request for extension. Up to today, a year after, the problem of illegal drugs is still just around the corner.
At least it isn't as bloody as last year. During my stint as graveyard shift reporter, I would get dizzy chasing patrol cars hopping from one area to another responding to drug pushers being killed either by unidentified gunmen or in police operations. The dead men wore house clothes, slippers, and sometimes had a cheap cellphone in their pocket. I have seen family members wail at the sight of their dead loved ones. The following day I see them troop to the Commission of Human Rights. As the issue became too much to handle, even in Manila, shooting alarms reduced. Now, I barely hear of a man being gunned down. Maybe one in a night. So I guess that's over.
Does the number of men linked to drugs and the complaints lodged before the CHR have something in common? A connection to its cause and effect at the very least? Well, your guess is as good as mine. I'm just glad that nights are now peaceful but still the drug menace continues. The Cebu City Police Office still conducts "One time, big time" operations on illegal drugs and other activities often resulting in the arrest of more than a hundred persons. Most of them end up in jail while others manage to pay bail once their cases are filed. The following week they are arrested again for the same crime.
It is true that a country is difficult to run when the root of the problem is lodged in society? We have a people whose mindset is to have entitlement and instant gratification for things they want and not work hard for them. However, we need to understand the change we want is not the work of a single person. He needs our help, the way we helped get him elected because of the promises he made.
- Latest
