A primitive wayof solving crimes

Extrajudicial killing, “tokhang,” war on drugs, and “nanlaban” are some of the words or terms that became popular because of President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

It seems that the President is taking seriously this expression: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” Why? The way I see it, the antidrug policy has been motivated by revenge. Even before he took office in 2016, he already said that he despise drugs. So now that he is in power, he’s using the resources to eradicate illegal drugs in the Philippines.

Killing a person without legal process is indeed rampant nowadays. In his three years as Chief Executive, thousands of people, also known as drug suspects, were killed during the “Tokhang” (knock and plead) operations. The victims were killed because they fought back, or, “nanlaban,” when the police arrested them.

It is true that the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign has eliminated or alleviated drug pushers and users. However, it cannot be denied that the police officers can now be likened to “cold-blooded murderers.”

Kian Loyd Delos Santos, 17 years old, was the most prominent victim while the most recent one is three-year-old Myka Ulpina to which former chief of Philippine National Police and newbie politician Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said that “sh*t happens” during antidrug operations. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has already started investigating the circumstances relating to the death of Myka. 

How many more precious lives do we have to lose or sacrifice in order for the government to cease the so-called war on drugs? A lot of mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, etc. are still coping with grief and loss. They are still longing for their loved ones who were victimized by the drug war.

Some people say that the cases of Kian and Myka were merely collateral damage, but the CHR believes that the two were also victims. Thus, justice must be served. The Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental organization headquartered in New York City, also condemned Myka’s death. 

“Change is coming” was President Duterte’s campaign slogan in 2016. But what kind of change was it referring to, really? Is it “change for the better” or “change for the worse?”

Mr. Duterte can redeem himself by stopping the campaign against illegal drugs and by asserting our rights on the territorial disputes involving the West Philippine Sea. He chose not to take a stand on the Recto (Reed) Bank incident that happened last June 9.  He should use the remaining years of his term to prove that he is still the man that we saw three years ago during the election campaign period: Someone who has conviction, guts, determination, and grit.

The war on drugs, which is a primitive way of seeking justice or solving a crime, must come to an end now. 

In apprehending the drug suspects, the authorities should follow the due process of law. They should stop taking the law into their own hands. – LEONARD KRISTIAN MESA GELACIO, Cauayan City, Isabela