Cover image via Philippine Daily Inquirer
Filipinos are yet again in the middle of a "revolution" — a term coined by respected Filipino writer F. Sionil Jose regarding [President Rodrigo Duterte] (http://says.com/ph/stories/search?utf8=✓&q=duterte)'s new administration
I call him — the *Pinoy* mockingjay. He awakened *Filipinos*' hunger for progress and clean government and more than 15 million votes catapulted him to the seat of influence and power. As a result, this revolution may mean making painful sacrifices, having to go through early, awkward, ugly stages just like when a cocoon starts transforming into a beautiful butterfly. So many drug addicts and drug pushers are now dead.
Image via AM1460
Before all this [war on drugs] (http://says.com/ph/news/richard-branson-says-duterte-s-campaign-to-end-drug-crime-is-bound-to-fail) has begun and even as it happens, news break would involve a [young woman who was raped] (http://says.com/ph/news/uber-officials-summoned-after-its-driver-allegedly-raped-a-22-year-old-woman) by drug-high drivers inside a public utility van
Rampant are the reports about abandoned and abused children who are deprived of a healthy childhood because their parents are hooked on drugs. **Have you been robbed and have you experienced having a gun pointed at your forehead in a heavily drug-infested community? I have.** It was when I worked with urban poor women a decade ago in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. As the morals of our society corrode, the greedy oligarchs and drug lords are safe and rich in their gated enclaves.
At the moment, leading social news media, Rappler, has indicated that 470,000 drug addicts have already surrendered and around 300 drug suspects have been killed. More mid-level drug lords are beginning to surrender.
This is one of the rare action-oriented administrations in Philippine history where government service is for the people and by the people
Relentless is the execution of plans to eradicate corruption and drugs. But while many of the poor are getting killed, is it really a pro-poor government? **It is unfortunate that most victims of its on-going "war against drugs" are members of the poorest in the community.** And worse, unknown killers are on the loose. Does the end really justify the means?
Image via Mirror
A weak human spirit is easily let down by poverty. These [people cling to drugs] (http://says.com/ph/news/4-methods-bilibid-drug-lords-do-to-trade-illegal-drugs-inside) as their temporary escape.
They also cling to it as their source of income — the easiest source to fill their empty stomachs and their only way to provide food for their undernourished children. I don't wish that [alleged criminals be killed without due process] (http://says.com/ph/news/10-drug-related-killings-everyday-how-vp-leni-feels-about-it). I would like them to surrender and change for the better. Unfortunately, for some of them, the fight is over before it even began. Drugs have already destroyed them physically and psychologically.
These are some of the casualties we, as a society, have to pay for because we have been blinded. **This is the price we pay for letting the evil forces weaken our economic, political and social systems.**
Who could be doing these [vigilante killings] (http://says.com/ph/news/this-honor-student-was-mistaken-for-a-drug-courier-and-was-shot-dead-by-vigilantes) and who are the people behind them?
**While justice system in the Philippines is weak and too slow, these killings should be swiftly addressed.** There should be an investigation to quickly find out who are the people behind it. Those who surrendered must be given proper support to recover from their addiction.
1. Could it be the big drug lords themselves who hired gunmen to purposely spread fear and derail government's efforts against drugs?
2. Could it be the hypocritical power-thirsty business men and politicians who are forming a conspiracy against corruption-free government?
3. Could it be a group of mentally deranged private citizens who have a "thing" for taking lives?
4. Could it be police officers who are undercover? (I hope not)
Image via Bulatlat
The drug personalities were killed by police because they fought and resisted to surrender while we don't have proof yet as to who are behind the killings of those who didn't even have the chance to defend themselves. The mysterious and merciless deaths are alarming and increasing in number. Human rights activists are calling for its immediate end.
Why is it that corrupt government officials, greedy businessmen and drug lords want our society to be in perpetual decline?
Solely because evil forces thrive in chaos. The ones who are greedy for power would rather want people to remain helpless so that they can easily sway them with their empty promises.
The mid-level and most especially high-level drug syndicates should be caught. Their gated enclaves must burn down. I wish that the good prevails in Philippine society and the world at large. If we don't support evil forces, they can never win.
Power should be in the hands of courageous and principled leaders who will not be easily tempted to cross the line from good to evil
Imagine if we can help our society get rich in human resource. Imagine if the new generation of [Filipino children are emancipated from the chains of poverty and abuse] (http://says.com/ph/kulture/buy-a-postcard-feed-a-child). We will have an empowered generation to create healthy discussions on what is good for the country and its future.
