Duterte's Farce Drug Wars

The banner story of the Philippine Daily Inquirer today (17 July 2016) is about the bizarre encounter between Philippiine President Rodrigo Duterte and alleged drug lord Peter Lim in Davao City. According to the article, Lim surrendered to the police and requested for a meeting with the President, who had accused him of being a Triad member and big time drug personality. In their freakish interaction, Duterte told Lim to get his lawyer and gather evidence to clear himself, or he will be executed. He did boast on one occasion to have Lim killed if he steps foot on Philippine soil. That did not happen, even though Davao is still part of the Philippines. And, the alleged big fish was allowed to go free after the meeting.

The entire affair was nothing but a farce. To the 16+ million goofballs who voted for the President, it was glorious entertainment. But for the rest, the showcase was, again, the glaring incompetence of the present administration. While the unclaimed bodies of hundreds of suspected small-time drug peddlers continue to pile-up in mortuaries across the country, the alleged bluechip dealer was granted permission to abscond by the highest authority. Why wasn't he placed under arrest at least? Didn't he surrender to the authorities to begin with? That was the opportunity to show the entire nation what this war on drugs and criminality is all about. But like in other instances, this administration has no aptitude, nor the balls to act decisively on big issues.

Clearly, this nut-brained government doesn't have the goods on Lim. Or, is Lim good to this government? Therefore, the moro-moro? When Duterte announced on national TV the list of suspected major drug barons, he didn't have a face to go with the name of Peter Lim, aka Jaguar. In the meeting, the accused was instructed to come up with proof of his innocence or face summary execution. In an ideal setting, it is the accuser who is burdened to present cause of guilt, and not the other way around. It takes only the best and the brightest minds to come up with solid cases to pin down crime bosses, and successfully prosecute them. Tragically, with the likes of Vitaliano Aguirre and Jose Calida on board, the Duterte government pitifully lacks the intellectual competence to get the job done properly. That is the reason why there is a fantastic rise in theatrical shootouts between police and suspected criminal elements. Dead suspects can't be dragged to court, can they? Ineptitude and incompetence trickles down rapidly from the top to the lowest ranks.

The Ball Is In Your Side Of The Court, Mr. Duterte

The United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague has spoken; in a strong and resounding voice! Among other things, the five sitting judges ruled that the Nine Dash Line of China is nothing but a fantastic claim comparable to that of Diagon Alley; and several other tall tales we read to our children. It was also a thunderous recognition of the Republic of the Philippines' entitlement to several kilometers of water and islands on the West Philippine Sea. The world has hailed the landmark decision as a victory for freedom and the rule of law.

As expected, China has announced that it does not accept the ruling, and went as far as calling it illegal. With that, the best we can expect from Beijing would be sustained activities in the disputed sea. They have vowed to proceed with the same policies covering the issue that are already in place. In other words, change won't be coming. Their statement has been the strongest to be issued by any government on the subject; including that of the Philippines. While the international community ponders on what to do next, the communist squatters are clear on their intentions. They intend to carry-on with their illegal occupation of the West Philippine Sea!

Why So Sad, Pekto?

Perfecto Yasay is all smiles.

While millions of Filipinos were celebrating, a forlorn-looking Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay read a carefully worded statement a few minutes after the court issued the decision. The demeanor displayed by Yasay was a complete contrast to a photograph of his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua on 7 July 2016. Watching his body-language during the short press briefing, one would think he was on the losing side. The reaction from the department head was well within my expectations. Recent pronouncements by the secretary to Agence France Presse betrayed his predispositions on the matter. A mindset not welcome to the majority of Filipinos. From the statement, it was crystal that the present government officials composed of the "best and brightest" are clueless on what to do with the award that fell squarely on their laps. Did they really believe the PCA would rule in favor of a party that didn't participate in the process, and even mocked the court? Can anyone be that stupid? Who knows. The level of stupidity these days is quite overwhelming.

Now What?

By all means, let Malacanan's "best and brightest" experts study the text carefully before an official statement is issued. The sensitivity and importance of the circumstance calls for it. But please, every single Filipino expects nothing less than the protection of the interests of the country. President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to do so during the campaign. It is high-time he proves to the 62% who didn't vote for him that he can walk the talk. Otherwise, he will be exposed as a cowardly charlatan this early in his six-year term.

Peace In The Time Of Duterte

Any initiative that promotes peace between two sparring factions should be encouraged. Accords that seek to end hostilities among peoples need support from the citizens, and should be extolled. I have been a bitter critic of Rodrigo Duterte and his government. But, I encourage him to pursue the peace crusade with the various rebel and secessionist groups. Thousands of lives have been wasted in the decades long struggle between ideologies. Atrocities have left permanent scars in the hearts and minds of the survivors. It is high time the madness stops!

No Comfort Letters, Please

A year ago, I wrote a piece about the agreement between the previous government and that of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, I indicated that we should learn from the peace treaties of the past; especially the mistakes that were committed. The pursuit of reconciliation, justice should not take a back seat! The comfort letters issued by then Prime Minister, Tony Blair of the United Kingdom should be an ideal example of how not to proceed. His actions after the Good Friday peace agreement ensured that hundreds of Irish Republican Army criminals did not face prosecution for the atrocities they perpetrated during the troubles.

The Commie Bastards

In dealing with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the Duterte government should consider the past acts of the New People's Army. The NPA is composed of criminal bandits devoid of ideology. It has been involved in murder, extortion, and kidnapping. The group is categorized as a terrorist organization by the United States; and rightly so! Cadres who have participated in crimes against civilians should be brought to answer for their crimes.

And what of Jose Ma. Sison? President Duterte has hailed the communist bastard as his hero. But, that should not be an excuse for amnesty. Sison is listed as a person supporting terrorism. His deeds have resulted in mayhem and deaths to soldiers, policemen, and civilians over the years. If there is a specific individual who should not escape prosecution, it is the bastard Jose Ma. Sison!

Kill the Terrorists

It is universally accepted that no deals should be struck with terrorists. Therefore, peace with the Abu Sayyaf Group should not even be discussed. The ASG are neither rebels nor are they freedom fighters. They are a bunch of crooks who terrorize for profit. The barbarity they have exhibited rivals that of ISIS. The ASG should be hunted down and eliminated like Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

All pacts the government will agree to in the future should put the primacy to the interest of all peace-loving and law-abiding Filipinos. And not that of murderers and terrorists. Otherwise, it would just be another sell-out! A sham! And, the whole exercise would just result in more grievance, not unlike the ones it originally wanted to address.