Ejk - This is an essay about extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. PDF

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This is an essay about extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. ...

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The Rise of Extrajudicial Killings As a new administration took over the country of the Philippines after the 2016 national elections, solution of a problem led to another problem -- eradication of drugs resulted to extrajudicial killings. Now-president Rodrigo Duterte, during the presidency campaigns before he was declared as the new highest official of the country, has been very vocal about his promise of making the Philippines a drug-free nation. As soon as he started serving his term as the president, war on drugs was launched to fulfill the said promise. Oplan Tokhang, wherein individuals having involvements with illegal drugs are being encouraged to surrender voluntarily to the authorities when the latter knock at their homes' doors, was utilized as part of the said campaign. This is aimed to achieve the goal of having a drug-free country in a peaceful way. However, contrary to what has been stated, the war on drugs in general became bloody as alleged drug-dependent people were killed during the Oplan Tokhang operations and elsewhere by the incharged policemen as well as what are termed vigilantes -- unknown individuals who puts an end to the lives of drug addicts -- without proper and lawful verdict. Countrymen have been undeniably fed up with all the crimes happening in the nation that's why they have badly wanted change. Usage of illegal drugs is one of those crimes and with no doubt, it has destroyed a lot of lives. But as a student and a citizen of this country, I strongly disagree with the summary executions -- another term for extrajudicial killings. To kill those who sinned because of illegal drugs isn't the change Filipinos need. These unjust perpetrations would not make things straight and give assurance that the Philippines will be free of crimes just because addicts have been removed out of the scene. Extrajudicial killings have no differene from actual crimes for both events deprive victims the right to live. One of the most known figures to support summary executions is the president himself. His orders of "shoot to kill" pertaining to drug addicts who fought back and accused of fighting back served as go signals for those who are and think that they are in the place to commit the act. Relatively, Filipinos who support these extrajudicial killings, in general, according to Dabon, think that those are the smartest, yet most effective way to clean the completely corroded, drug-infested society. It makes the law abiding citizens or the majority of the Filipinos live in peace, security and freedom they deserved that the past administrations failed to give. But if this is the case, then why up on 'til now, with all the summary executions that occurred, the Philippines remained a non-drug-free country? Why up on 'til now, Filipinos aren't assured of that peace, security and freedom for they, themselves, fear that one day, they, their loved ones, or someone they know would become a victim of extrajudicial killings? The goal of eliminating or diminishing crimes in the country won't either be achieved through summary executions. These will just make crime rates go up and even worsen

the situation since officials who are expected to protect are the ones causing harm to the people. "Official data shows that 3,993 people were killed in police operations," was quoted on an article published by Rappler on December; yet, not even one-eight of these killings were solved and justified. Moreover, Amnesty International reported, "...official police reports in several cases claim the suspect ’s gun “malfunctioned” when he tried to fire at police, after which they shot and killed him. In many instances, the police try to cover up unlawful killings or ensure convictions for those arrested during drug-related operations by planting “evidence” at crime scenes and falsifying incident reports—both practices the police officer said were common. " Accordingly, a statement of a police officer of the Metro Manila anti-illegal drugs unit wherein he said that policemen are being paid P 8000 to P 15000 per "encounter" (the term used for extrajudicial executions disguised as legitimate operations) and were receiving a payment from the funeral home they send the corpses to, just goes to show that the so-called protectors are ready to kill in exchange for money. Extrajudicial killings are also violating human rights. Everyone has the rights to live and with the said violations, victims are being denied of these rights. "...anyone can now be accused of any crime or involvement in illegal drugs and be executed before and without having a chance to publicly defend themselves in court," said Gloria Capitan. This is due to "apparent endorsements" of President Duterte wherein it seems like he is promoting extrajudicial killings which in return make people, particularly police officers and vigilantes, think that they have the law in their own hands. These result and amount to what is termed in a Brooking report as "state-sanctioned murder." In connection to these, summary executions also violate humans' rights to dignity as suspected drug offenders who were killed had their faces wrapped in tape and left lying wherever the encounters took places with cardboards usually beside them saying: "I'm a drug pusher, do not emulate me." Further, with the occurrence of extrajudicial killings, those who sinned because of drugs don't get the chance to change their lives and improve themselves for the better. As what the popular quotation says, "Everyone deserves a second chance." Humans are not perfect and usually, they learned their lessons for every mistake they committed after realizations hit them or they became fully aware of the consequences of their actions and wanted to correct the things they've done wrong. "Under our law, drug addicts are considered victims, not criminals and they all deserve proper rehabilitation," Suarez said. And with this rehabilitation comes a new beginning for them wherein they can use their lives to make things right and for better purposes. After all, this should be the change Filipinos should want to have -- solution of a problem in a just and moral way. Killing drug criminals, whether confirmed or alleged, will not make the Philippines a peaceful country. Rather, it will just create a more chaotic environment for Filipinos. The end-goal of the war on drugs lauched by the Duterte administration as the first step to making the nation free of crimes will not be achieved as extrajudicial killings

resulted to crimes as well. Peace can not be a guarantee as the number of deaths because of lack of due process and trials continue to rise; thus, making many countrymen fear that one day, they might be victims of summary executions. Filipinos have already come together and unite to hail a new leader whose iron fist is what they thought will end their cries for change and bring it to life. But as times gone by, a different change has occurred -- a change that has already taken a lot of lives even the innocents'. Natives of the Philippines already done it before. What they must do now is to unite once again, and with one voice, ask to stop extrajudicial killings. Submitted by: Emily Dee S. Lizarondo ABM 11-McGregor

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-most-Filipinos-agree-with-Dutertes-extrajudicialkillings https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Drug_War https://philippinehumanrights.org/news/11-statements/3-extra-judicial-killingsnormalizing-criminality-under-the-guise-of-peace-and-order https://www.brookings.edu/testimonies/the-human-rights-consequences-of-the-waron-drugs-in-the-philippines/amp/ cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/14/human-rights-group-cchr-stop-killingspresident-rodrigo-duterte.html...