A Social Weather Stations survey says that eight out of 10 Filipinos live in fear that they or their friends may be the next victims of President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.
The survey, however, also showed that the same number of people still support the President’s anti-drug campaign. I think this is the general sentiment, considering how deeply rooted and pervasive the drug menace has become. If nothing is done to stop this, in a few years the Philippines will become a narco-state.
I know firsthand how drug addiction can destroy families, because of my previous work at the DARE Foundation.
In more ways than one, the survey validates the allegations of the President that there are no less than 4 million drug addicts and 10,000 drug networks operating nationwide.
More than 6,000 have also been killed in the drug war since President Duterte assumed office. Some of them were killed by the police; some, by so-called vigilantes. There now appears to be a state of lawlessness—and the police does not seem able to stop it.
This state has instilled fear among the people. The survey shows this.
While some progress has been made in the war against illegal drugs, there has also been some collateral damage which could be a cause for concern. All these could lead to something else, perhaps a declaration of Martial Law or a revolutionary government by the President.
I deplore the fact that the people seem to have been desensitized to the daily killings that are happening. Have the Filipino people sunk so low in their morals? And we are supposed to be a Christian country at that!
What is ironic is that President Duterte gave hefty Christmas bonuses to police generals and other officers as a reward for their efforts in the anti-drug campaign.
When PNP Director-General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa asked God for forgiveness for all the killings and added that there might be more, that says a lot!
I don’t know if it is the intention of President Duterte to instill a climate of fear.
I am just an observer. But as a Catholic, I do not see anything good in Filipinos living in fear. The killings have become a problem, not a solution.
***
Santa Banana, former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima has become Public Enemy Number 1 as far as the Duterte administration is concerned. Even the Office of the Solicitor General has been tasked to handle complaints against her.
I know De Lima is persecuted, pilloried and tried by publicity. Even her private life has been exposed to ridicule. It appears President Duterte wants to destroy her. Ordinarily, she should be pitied.
I too would like to sympathize with her—but I cannot, considering the fact that she acted as President Aquino’s attack dog during the previous administration.
Who can forget what she did to former President Gloria Arroyo, who was supposed to go abroad for treatment for a debilitating bone ailment? The Supreme Court had ruled that Arroyo could travel. But since Aquino wanted her detained, De Lima defied the Supreme Court’s ruling. As a result, Arroyo was detained in a hospital for four years.
De Lima also acted as the attack dog against three minority senators accused of plunder in connection with their pork barrel funds. Meanwhile, Aquino allies accused of the same got off scot-free.
It’s just so bad she is now at the receiving end of the criticism. Still, I cannot empathize with her.
***
During the birthday celebration of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in General Santos City, President Duterte called him “president to be.” I could not help but laugh.
I said to myself, “Oh no!”
I believe that the presidency is a matter of destiny. After all, who would think that a tough-talking city mayor would become the leader of 102 Filipinos?
But I wonder: Why would Filipinos elect a fourth-grader who can barely speak English because of sheer popularity?
This is what ails this country. We elect public officials just because they are popular.
I have nothing personal against the senator, though.
Investors in Camp John Hay Development Corp., all 1,631 of them, are hopeful that their issues will be resolved with the new administration at the Bases Conversion Development Authority.
The Baguio City government is also hoping that it would finally get its 25-percent share in the full development of the property.