Wednesday, January 18, 2017

"Filipinos will always prefer the noise and clatter of a democratic country than the silence of cemeteries."





"x x x.

Presently, fear stalks the land under the draconian program of President Duterte to stop illegal drugs. More than 6,000 Filipinos have already been killed so far as President Duterte aims for his goal of 3 million drug users dead until he folds up his tent at the end of his six-year term.

This method is totally abhorrent in the eyes of God who is the author of life. We should hang our heads in shame as decent societies brand the Philippines “the murder capital of the world.” Can we be proud of our country’s improving economy if its citizens cower in fear for being the next target of Mr. Duterte’s brutality?

President Duterte has promised good things during his six-year term as president. But those promises will just be “like paper roses that will exude no fragrance” if the citizens are not guaranteed judicial process that will safeguard them from arbitrary arrests and death?

The Inquirer editorial did not emphasize this factor enough. For while the Duterte administration may deliver on some of his election promises, his success can only be measured by one important indicato—the preservation of the life of its citizens.

Filipinos will always prefer the noise and clatter of a democratic country than the silence of cemeteries.

- CARLOS D. ISLES, carlosisles@gmail.com

x x x ."