EDITORIAL - Self-defense

You have to feel sorry for Sonny Parsons. The former singer and action star will have to stand trial for homicide and frustrated homicide for running after the lowlifes who entered his home, robbed the household and tried to rape one of his daughters. Parsons was roused from his sleep Thursday morning by the muzzle of a gun. The robbers had entered his home in Marikina when one of his children left for school. When the robbers fled, Parsons managed to untie himself. He ran after the robbers, who had his family’s cash and valuables, and ended up killing two of them. A third survived four gunshot wounds.

Investigators explained that if the robbers had been killed in Parson’s home, he would have escaped criminal indictment. But because he ran after them in the streets, the killings became a homicide case. Meanwhile, Parsons has been getting death threats. Other members of the burglary gang managed to escape and are threatening him and his family members.

While coping with security threats, Parsons will have to brace for regular disruptions in his life; a court trial in this country can last several years. Double homicide with frustrated homicide is a serious offense, and his freedom to travel will be limited. He will have to hire a lawyer, and legal fees don’t come cheap.

Such are the problems that can crop up when you defend yourself, your loved ones and your property in this country. Parsons would not have had to tackle those robbers himself if there were cops around. But police presence is acutely wanting especially in Metro Manila — the reason many residents have armed themselves. And what happens when there are cops around? Remember the mother who put her faith in those Pasay policemen when a crazed man took her young son hostage? She ended up with a dead boy in her arms.

Of course criminals — even those caught in the act — have rights in a democracy. But people also have a right to be safe, especially in their own homes. In a society where the state has failed to protect its people, Sonny Parsons did what he had to do.