The on-going ‘wars’

It is really sad to note that so much misunderstanding and confusion are prevailing in our society nowadays. Obviously this is mainly due to the numerous conflicting and contradictory statements coming from our leaders especially from our President. Very noticeable here is about the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) happening every day due to the war on drugs launched by the present administration when it assumed power.

In a recent speech before a gathering of regional lawyers and foreign diplomats, PRRD once more declared that he “never ordered EJK.” People however cannot help but continue to doubt such statement because just a few months ago, he openly encouraged and promised to help policemen who may be charged of killing suspected drug addicts, pushers and traffickers. He even committed to pardon them if convicted. In fact, when 32 suspects were killed in Bulacan within a period of 24 hours and 25 more in Manila the following day, PRRD apparently sounded like he is endorsing such killings when he said, “Maganda yan. Patay pa tayo ng another 32 every day, maybe we can reduce what ails this country.”

Subsequently however when 17-year-old Grade 11 student Kian de los Santos appeared to have been brutally murdered by policemen from Caloocan City, PRRD apparently made a turn around again and told reporters in a late night press conference to “wait for the investigation. If there is criminal liability, I will order the prosecution of the case to the full extent of the law.” He assured his listeners that there will be no “whitewash” in the investigation.

“Extrajudicial killing” is a terminology that has become popular only during these times since the war against illegal drugs was launched by this administration. It must be pointed out however that it is not just a common terminology crafted or conceived supposedly in connection with law enforcement operations especially during the war on drugs. The term has a technical meaning which is used in the United Nations instruments. In the case of “Secretary of National Defense etc vs. Manalo and Manalo (G.R. L-180906, Oct. 7, 2008), our Supreme Court defined this term, also called “extralegal killings,” as “killings committed without due process of law, i.e. without legal safeguards or judicial proceedings.”

In the current war on drugs, the Philippine National Police (PNP) which has heretofore been in the forefront of this war, has repeatedly claimed that there are no EJKs in their operations because the suspected drug users or pushers who were killed, resisted arrests or nanlaban. This claim has never been investigated and ascertained as true. Up to now, no report has come out confirming the fact that the suspects who are mostly from the poor sector, put up a fight as to endanger the lives of the policemen thus forcing them to kill said suspects in order to save their own lives. Until these killings have been investigated and ascertained as done in self-defense, doubts about their legitimacy will linger on. In fact recent SWS survey shows that a great majority of our people do not believe the “nanlaban”version of the policemen.

Obviously, our society is now sharply divided because of this war on drugs and the many misunderstandings and doubts arising from it. First of all it must be emphasized and clarified that nobody is against the war on drugs. Such war is really necessary because of the many evils wrought by the dangerous drugs in our society. To be sure, a law has already been enacted severely penalizing the use, sale and distribution of these prohibited drugs otherwise known as the “Dangerous Drugs Act.” Our country however is now undergoing a bitter discord because of the criticisms and tirades against the means employed by the present government in the conduct of the war against drugs, more specifically said EJKs.

This bitter dispute should be resolved once and for all otherwise we might lose the war. People, especially the die-hard supporters of PRRD should accept the fact that criticisms are not directed against their idol PRRD but against the means employed in waging the war; that EJKs should not be resorted to because “the end does not justify the means”; that the government should eliminate the source of the dangerous drugs and heal, instead of kill, suspected drug addicts who are actually mere “victims” of circumstances like poverty and other pains that force them to resort to these dangerous drugs.

A very encouraging development in this connection is the designation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to further undertake the war. PDEA is really the more qualified agency tasked with solving this menace in our society because their people have been precisely trained to solve this problem through legal and just means. Admittedly, they are undermanned, but the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) can also assist them because its staff are also better equipped and well trained to handle this “war.”

Perhaps another “war” that PRRD should look into is his “war” against corruption. He has repeatedly declared or promised that he does not want any “whiff” of corruption to permeate his government. Apparently, said commitment still remains to be seen and felt. People somehow sense that corruption in government still abounds. Doubts still linger about his sincerity in this regard especially after the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu has been exposed. So far, no clear and definite findings as to the people involved here, has been made. Nor has there been cases filed in court against those involved. He should perhaps conduct a lifestyle check among those in government particularly within his inner circle in Malacanang.

And in the midst of this war people must unite. PRRDs social media trolls should stop airing unverified and inaccurate reports based on mere opinions or erroneous conclusions of facts and of law especially against those whom they perceived to be destabilizing PRRD and his government.

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