SANTA Banana, I thought I’d never see the day when supposedly bright minds in the Duterte administration would come out with stupid remarks. They react strongly to criticism from so many sectors—the United Nations, the United States government, media, business and civil society.
Last Tuesday, Socioeconomic Planning secretary Ernesto Pernia blamed media for the negative perception received by the Duterte administration from members of the business community.
Pernia said that media should also interview people regarding the crime status which has gone down substantially to ease fears among foreigners.
What takes the cake in Pernia’s lame attempt to justify extra-judicial and vigilante killings that accompany the President’s war on illegal drugs is his statement that the killings are a “necessary evil that has to happen in the pursuit of (a) greater good.”
So the killings are now in the pursuit of greater good?
Not to be outdone, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella say that they are doing necessary efforts to reverse the country’s negative image so the country can be more attractive to foreigners.
Santa Banana, even my friend, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto “Jun” Yasay, is blaming media for the President’s threat to pull the Philippines out of the United Nations, claiming that it was done in the wee hours of the morning when the President was already very tired.
Yasay blamed newsmen for needling the President, making him disappointed, frustrated and angry under these circumstances. That’s a lot of bull.
Another remark from Andanar, which truly made me laugh, was the justification of the President’s womanizing. Andanar scored media for failing to say that the President was single and was thus free to take on a partner.
Santa Banana, what kind of a communications secretary justifies the practice of having a common-law wife when Filipinos, a country of mostly Christians, look up to a leader we can all emulate?
With this kind of people around the President, I am not surprised that the President’s zealous campaign against crime and illegal drugs is being viewed negatively.
In earlier columns, I supported his war on these ills. These have prevented the country from moving forward. But also said the campaign must be conducted within the context of the rule of law, and observance of human and civil rights. I also said that the President must ensure that the end does not justify the means.
I still believe that President Duterte is on the right track. But he must be told that the country should not be made into killing fields.
Shifting the blame to media only makes things worse. The media only report on what they see and know.
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In an effort to justify killings in the President’s war on illegal drugs, Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa told the Senate investigation that the “kill order” issued by President Duterte on all drug suspects was only psychological warfare. This means the statements are just meant to scare drug lords, dealers and users.
Well, Santa Banana, the “kill order” achieved its purpose. Police statistics show that more than 700 have been killed and thousands more have surrendered.
What bothers me is Dela Rosa’s statement that the police have pinpointed no less than 1,067 killed “outside police operations.” These “deaths under investigation” refer to killings done by unnamed people or vigilantes. My gulay, that should be a cause for concern!
With regard to allegations by the police that those killed tried to resist arrest, only this question comes to mind: Why have we not heard of any policemen being killed or wounded in the struggle? Isn’t it strange?
While De la Rosa tried to justify the killing of the 712 as legitimate police operations, he could not discount the possibility that some members of the police may be killing their own assets, as some witnesses have said.
In my younger days as a journalist, I covered the police beat and I knew too well that policemen use members of criminal syndicates as their assets. That has been happening, too, in illegal drugs. Dela Rosa, of all people, must be aware of this.
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Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez, whom I hold in respect and admiration as a businessman, now heads the President’s economic cluster. He has drawn out a plan to divest the National Food Authority and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. of their commercial and business operations. He said they should remain as regulatory bodies.
The NFA, for instance, has no business engaging in importation and distribution of rice. There is already a law authorizing the private sector to do that, upon authority by a board created for that purpose. In other words, government has no business in business.
Similarly, Pagcor as the regulating body for all the gaming and entertainment business, must remain just a regulatory agency, and not compete in the casino gambling business with the private sector. All other regulatory government agencies worldwide do not compete with the private sector.
That’s the right thing to do, and I must congratulate Sonny Dominguez for this plan. The sooner it is implemented, the better.