Category: Human Rights

Do we take President Duterte seriously?

Ellen

Duterte threatens to declare martial law before troops in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro.

Duterte threatens to declare martial law before troops in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro.


I take him seriously because the president of the Republic of the Philippines is so powerful that with a stroke of a pen, he can save a life or send the nation to war.

Last Tuesday, President Duterte threatened to declare martial law.

“ Please, ‘wag mo akong… hindi ako gago. If this continues, pigilan mo ako eh ‘di sige. ‘Pag nagwala na...or would you rather that I will declare martial law?, he said before the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro.

Duterte was lashing out on Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno who stood up to him by reminding him of the separation of powers and other provisions in the Constitution which he could have violated when he read a list of alleged illegal drugs protector including seven judges. Others in more than 150 names in the list were congressmen, military officials, police officers, mayors, and vice mayors.

He said the list ““has undergone a process” which many thought meant the involvement of those named had been validated.
Within 24 hours, errors in the list were pointed out.

Sereno said one of the judges named had long been dead and the other was dismissed from the judiciary nine years ago. Three others are presiding in courts not handling drug cases.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

This was the statement of Sereno that made Duterte ballistic: “To safeguard the role of the judges as the protector of constitutional rights, I would caution them very strongly against ‘surrendering’ or making themselves physically accountable to any police officer in the absence of any duly-issued warrant of arrest that is pending.”

Duterte, a former prosecutor bristled at Sereno’s advice to observe due process: “Manghingi ka ng warrant? Madam Chief Justice, you must be joking. You must be joking. Dalawa tayo abogado. Kayong lahat sa Supreme Court…do you know how long it would take to secure a warrant of arrest?

“One single case in the Republic of the Philippines, the warrant to issue is a minimum of two months, three months. Pagdating sa Korte, Madam Justice, it will take forever. ‘Pag natalo, aakayat yan sa Court of Appeals. It would sit there for about two years.”
The President issued a counter warning to the Chief Justice:

“So, ikaw ang winarningan ko, hindi ako.”Do not create a crisis because I will order everybody in the executive department not to honor you.”

The threat of declaring martial law sent alarm bells ringing especially to human rights advocates and those who had experienced martial law under the late Ferdinand Marcos.

Immediately, Malacanang went into damage control. Press Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement said, “The President merely asked a rhetorical question and said it under the context that his anti-drug campaign cannot wait for the slow wheels of justice – [Philippines] style. We have an Action Man for a President who believes justice delayed is justice denied. He is the type, who at the onset of his presidency, simply wants to hit the ground running and rid society of drugs, crime, and corruption with urgency.”

It did not help, however, that Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo underscored that “The Constitution says the President can declare martial law not only in cases of invasion or rebellion, but when public safety requires it. Right now, the safety of the public is in imminent danger.”

He then backtracked with,“I don’t think the President will do that.”

Senate Minority Leader Ralph G. Recto advised the public to “learn to auto-delete the colorful parts of Digong’s statements.
For those who are outraged, Recto said, “the best coping mechanism is not to let his curses get in the way of studying the causes he is fighting for.”

Recto is being kind. Many can only turn to prayers like artist-activist Mae Paner who articulated the distress of many in her Facebook post:

Artist-activist Mae Paner

Artist-activist Mae Paner

“Napapa-isip Ako

“Lord, anong klaseng anghel ang ibinigay mo sa amin? Parang halimaw ang iniregalomo sa amin. Mali ba ako?

“Yung pagmumura kayang sikmurain. Pero yung pumapatay para sa katahimikan namin? Thank you? Yung maglilibing kay Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani? Whew! Yung magde-declare ng unilateral ceasefire tapos babawiin? Game show? Yung sasabihing baliw ang sarili niyang anak on national tv? Wow! Yung bumabastos sa bangkay at kababaihan? Arayko! Yung nagbabanta sa Supreme Court justice? Pak! Yung nagbabanta ulit ng martial law? Wagas! Yung ang extra judicial killings ginawang bisyo? Nakakaloka!

“Bangungot ba ito? Pagsubok? O nang-iinis ka Lord? Pikon talo?

“Actually…

“Gusto kong manahimik dahil may takot pa din ako. Gusto kong umayon dahil baka ma-bully ako ng mga bilib sa kanya. Gusto ko siyang bigyan ng pagkakataon dahil bagong upo lang siya. Gusto kong pumalakpak dahil itataas daw niya sahod ng kapatid kong sundalo. Gusto kong magduda pero binigyan niya ng puwesto ang ilang progresibo. Gusto kong isiping di hamak naman siyang mas magaling kesa kay Aquino.

“Sa wakas may FOI at tuloy na ang RH. May pag-asa ang divorce.

“Gusto ko pang ngumiti pero bakit ang sakit ng panga ko? Gusto ko pang umasa na tunay ang ginagawa niyang pagbabago. O sadyang tanga lang ba ako?

“Masasanay rin ako sa style niya? Hanggang mamanhid?

“Sino ba ang nilalaro nino Lord? Sirit na.

“Isa’t kalahating buwan pa lang ang nabawas sa anim na taon. Lamang kalsada pa rin ba ako hanggang mag edad 59?

“Lord, bakit ang sakit mong magmahal!?!

Do we take President Duterte seriously?

Ellen

Duterte threatens to declare martial law before troops in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro.

Duterte threatens to declare martial law before troops in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro.


I take him seriously because the president of the Republic of the Philippines is so powerful that with a stroke of a pen, he can save a life or send the nation to war.

Last Tuesday, President Duterte threatened to declare martial law.

“ Please, ‘wag mo akong… hindi ako gago. If this continues, pigilan mo ako eh ‘di sige. ‘Pag nagwala na...or would you rather that I will declare martial law?, he said before the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro.

Duterte was lashing out on Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno who stood up to him by reminding him of the separation of powers and other provisions in the Constitution which he could have violated when he read a list of alleged illegal drugs protector including seven judges. Others in more than 150 names in the list were congressmen, military officials, police officers, mayors, and vice mayors.

He said the list ““has undergone a process” which many thought meant the involvement of those named had been validated.
Within 24 hours, errors in the list were pointed out.

Sereno said one of the judges named had long been dead and the other was dismissed from the judiciary nine years ago. Three others are presiding in courts not handling drug cases.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

This was the statement of Sereno that made Duterte ballistic: “To safeguard the role of the judges as the protector of constitutional rights, I would caution them very strongly against ‘surrendering’ or making themselves physically accountable to any police officer in the absence of any duly-issued warrant of arrest that is pending.”

Duterte, a former prosecutor bristled at Sereno’s advice to observe due process: “Manghingi ka ng warrant? Madam Chief Justice, you must be joking. You must be joking. Dalawa tayo abogado. Kayong lahat sa Supreme Court…do you know how long it would take to secure a warrant of arrest?

“One single case in the Republic of the Philippines, the warrant to issue is a minimum of two months, three months. Pagdating sa Korte, Madam Justice, it will take forever. ‘Pag natalo, aakayat yan sa Court of Appeals. It would sit there for about two years.”
The President issued a counter warning to the Chief Justice:

“So, ikaw ang winarningan ko, hindi ako.”Do not create a crisis because I will order everybody in the executive department not to honor you.”

The threat of declaring martial law sent alarm bells ringing especially to human rights advocates and those who had experienced martial law under the late Ferdinand Marcos.

Immediately, Malacanang went into damage control. Press Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement said, “The President merely asked a rhetorical question and said it under the context that his anti-drug campaign cannot wait for the slow wheels of justice – [Philippines] style. We have an Action Man for a President who believes justice delayed is justice denied. He is the type, who at the onset of his presidency, simply wants to hit the ground running and rid society of drugs, crime, and corruption with urgency.”

It did not help, however, that Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo underscored that “The Constitution says the President can declare martial law not only in cases of invasion or rebellion, but when public safety requires it. Right now, the safety of the public is in imminent danger.”

He then backtracked with,“I don’t think the President will do that.”

Senate Minority Leader Ralph G. Recto advised the public to “learn to auto-delete the colorful parts of Digong’s statements.
For those who are outraged, Recto said, “the best coping mechanism is not to let his curses get in the way of studying the causes he is fighting for.”

Recto is being kind. Many can only turn to prayers like artist-activist Mae Paner who articulated the distress of many in her Facebook post:

Artist-activist Mae Paner

Artist-activist Mae Paner

“Napapa-isip Ako

“Lord, anong klaseng anghel ang ibinigay mo sa amin? Parang halimaw ang iniregalomo sa amin. Mali ba ako?

“Yung pagmumura kayang sikmurain. Pero yung pumapatay para sa katahimikan namin? Thank you? Yung maglilibing kay Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani? Whew! Yung magde-declare ng unilateral ceasefire tapos babawiin? Game show? Yung sasabihing baliw ang sarili niyang anak on national tv? Wow! Yung bumabastos sa bangkay at kababaihan? Arayko! Yung nagbabanta sa Supreme Court justice? Pak! Yung nagbabanta ulit ng martial law? Wagas! Yung ang extra judicial killings ginawang bisyo? Nakakaloka!

“Bangungot ba ito? Pagsubok? O nang-iinis ka Lord? Pikon talo?

“Actually…

“Gusto kong manahimik dahil may takot pa din ako. Gusto kong umayon dahil baka ma-bully ako ng mga bilib sa kanya. Gusto ko siyang bigyan ng pagkakataon dahil bagong upo lang siya. Gusto kong pumalakpak dahil itataas daw niya sahod ng kapatid kong sundalo. Gusto kong magduda pero binigyan niya ng puwesto ang ilang progresibo. Gusto kong isiping di hamak naman siyang mas magaling kesa kay Aquino.

“Sa wakas may FOI at tuloy na ang RH. May pag-asa ang divorce.

“Gusto ko pang ngumiti pero bakit ang sakit ng panga ko? Gusto ko pang umasa na tunay ang ginagawa niyang pagbabago. O sadyang tanga lang ba ako?

“Masasanay rin ako sa style niya? Hanggang mamanhid?

“Sino ba ang nilalaro nino Lord? Sirit na.

“Isa’t kalahating buwan pa lang ang nabawas sa anim na taon. Lamang kalsada pa rin ba ako hanggang mag edad 59?

“Lord, bakit ang sakit mong magmahal!?!

Side effects of Duterte’s war against illegal drugs

Ellen

Photo by Rouelle Umali

Photo by Rouelle Umali


Do you feel sick watching daily images on TV and newspapers of people killed, lying lifeless on the sidewalks covered with newspapers or plastic with only their dirty feet and worn-out rubber slippers seen?

And of course near the corpse, the cardboard sign “Drug pusher ako, huwag tularan”, which has now become a standard accessory in President Duterte’s war against illegal drugs.

Studies have shown the ill-effects of being exposed to traumatic images.

In an article in the website of Association for Psychological Science, psychological scientist Roxane Cohen Silver of the University of California, Irvine and colleagues said “repeated exposure to vivid traumatic images from the media could lead to long-lasting negative consequences, not just for mental health but also for physical health. “

The article said Silver and her colleagues “speculated that such media exposure could result in a stress response that triggers various physiologic processes associated with increased health problems over time.”

That’s for those who are exposed to disturbing images in media. How much more with members of media who are up close to those gruesome scenes to capture them for the people to know what’s happening in the country.

Raffy Lerma. By Pocholo Concepcion of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Raffy Lerma. By Pocholo Concepcion of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Raffy Lerma, the Philippine Daily Inquirer photo-journalist, who took that heart-wrenching “La Pieta” photo of Jennelyn Olaires cradling the dead body of her pedicab driver partner, Michael Siaron, was quoted in an article written by Pocholo Concepcion, that he is getting overwhelmed by the rising body count as the killings intensify in Duterte’s war against illegal drugs.

“Hindi bumababa sa lima ang patay bawat araw, minsan 10, may araw na 18. If I will add everything for that week, it would be more than the total for the year when I first did the nightshift in 2005,” he said.

Lerma related the anguish that he and his fellow photographers also go in covering the Duterte administration’s drug war.
He said when he went to Pasay City Rotonda in the early hours of July 22, it was the third death for that night that he had to cover.

Lerma said Olaires was pleading for help as he and the photographers were taking pictures but they couldn’t do anything. The area had been cordoned by the police.

After that, they went to Leveriza st, also in Pasay, which is now being grimly referred to as “Patay City.”Another killing. But the body of the victim – said to be a person with speech disability- had already been removed from the crime scene.

Lerma related, “We were quiet as we went back to the Manila Police District, the office of graveyard-shift media workers. I lighted a cigarette to calm my nerves. Another photographer took deep breaths. Together, we recounted moments from the scene at Pasay Rotunda.

“Another veteran photographer said, while shaking his head, ‘’ no longer want to be a photographer.” We all had the same feeling of guilt.”

In the end, Lerma said, they consoled themselves that it’s part of the job.

“We may not have helped the victim and his partner but it is our job to show these pictures. We have to show reality as it is and perhaps, get people to react and even take action,” he said.

Photo-journalists find strength in each other. By Rouelle Umali.

Photo-journalists find strength in each other. By Rouelle Umali.

Dr. Elana Newman, a licensed clinical psychologist who conducted a survey of 800 photojournalists, in an article at the Dart Centre website, said, “Witnessing death and injury takes its toll, a toll that increases with exposure. The more such assignments photojournalists undertake, the more likely they are to experience psychological consequences.”

Dart Centre Europe, a regional hub for journalists and filmmakers who believe that effective reporting on violence and trauma matters, has a 40-page guide by Joe Hight and Frank Smyth to help journalists, photojournalists and editors report on violence while protecting both victims and themselves.

For the journalists, here are some advice:

1. Know your limits. If you’ve been given a troublesome assignment that you feel you cannot perform, politely express your concerns to your supervisor. Tell the supervisor that you may not be the best person for the assignment. Explain why.

2. Take breaks. A few minutes or a few hours away from the situation may help relieve your stress.

3. Find someone who is a sensitive listener. It can be an editor or a peer, but you must trust that the listener will not pass judgment on you. Perhaps it is someone who has faced a similar experience.

4. Learn how to deal with your stress. Find a hobby, exercise, attend a house of worship or, most important, spend time with your family, a significant other or friends – or all four. Try deep-breathing..

5. Understand that your problems may become overwhelming. Before he died in April 1945, war correspondent Ernie Pyle wrote, “I’ve been immersed in it too long. My spirit is wobbly and my mind is confused. The hurt has become too great.” If this happens to you, seek counseling from a professional.

UNODC slams ‘extrajudicial killings’ in PH

Davinci Maru

Human Rights

Statement by the UNODC Executive Director on the situation in the Philippines

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) remains greatly concerned by the reports of extrajudicial killing of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines. I join the United Nations Secretary-General in condemning the apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Such responses contravene the provisions of the international drug control conventions, do not serve the cause of justice, and will not help to ensure that “all people can live in health, dignity and peace, with security and prosperity”, as agreed by governments in the outcome document approved at the UN General Assembly special session on the world drug problem.

UNODC supports balanced, people-centred, evidence- and rights-based approaches to drug control, rooted in the agreed international conventions and standards.

UNODC stands ready to further engage with the Philippines and all countries to bring drug traffickers to justice with the appropriate legal safeguards in line with international standards and norms, and promote prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration approaches based in evidence, science, public health and human rights.

Duterte: a poor drug user is also a pusher

Ellen

Photo by Raffy Lerma of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Photo by Raffy Lerma of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.


A drug user who is rich is not necessarily a pusher because he has the money to buy the illegal substance. But if the drug user is poor, he is also a pusher.

That’s according to President Duterte.

In the President’s meeting with soldiers and policemen in Camp Nakar in Lucena City last July 28, he said “But a user is a pusher. Pwera na lang kung anak ka ni Ayala o ni Consunji o ni Gokongwei, ‘pag nalulong ka sa droga eh maghanap ka ng tao na isusuporta rin ang — sa bisyo mo. Then the other idiot will also contaminate and this must not happen.”

That explains why those killed (465 since Duterte assumed the presidency on June 30, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer) were all wearing rubber slippers. Too poor to even afford shoes .

Like Michael Siaron, a 29-year-old pedicab driver shot to death by unidentified dead by motorcycle-riding men past midnight of July 22 in Pasay City. His live-in partner Jennelyn Olaires said in a news report Siaron barely earned P200 a day.

Olaires, whose heard-rending picture cradling the dead Siaron deepened the concern of many about the inhumanity of Duterte’s drive against illegal drugs, admitted the tricycle driver was a drug user but not a pusher contrary to the words “Drug pusher ako wag tularan” on the cardboard that was left by assailants after shooting Siaron.

Olaires said it was impossible that Siaron was an illegal drug dealer because they were too poor and could barely pay for their next meal.

That reasoning won’t wash with Duterte. To him a drug user who is rich can indulge in his vice with his money. But the poor drug addict will be forced to push illegal drugs to be able to sustain his addiction.

A visitor in my blog, TonGuE-tWisTeD shared his knowledge of the illegal drugs operation in the area where Siaron and Olaires live:

“Si Michael Siaron ay pedicab driver na pinatay sa dati kong barangay. Ang mga pedicab driver, hindi yan mga tulak o mga pusher. Sa Pasay at sa ibang lugar, tawag diyan ay ‘runner’. Sila ang contact ng mga pusher at buyer at tumatayong middleman sa bentahan ng shabu. Ang kinikita nila ay tinatawag na ‘responde’. Di ko alam exact translation sa English pero sa pakiwari ko, ‘service charge’ o ‘tip’ either pera o konting shabu.

“Ang respondeng shabu ay pwedeng ratratin (hithitin) ng runner or ipunin hanggang dumami at maibenta sa ibang customer. Understood rin na pag binawasan ng runner yung pinabili ng buyer na bato, kasama yon sa responde kaya di dapat magreklamo ang buyer. Obligado ang buyer na magbigay ng responde sa runner kung humingi pa rin ito matapos mangupit.

“Ang pinag-uusapan natin dito yung ‘tingi’ ng shabu. Nung araw, hanggang isang daang pisong halaga may mabibilhan ka na kasing dami ng isang butil ng mais ang tawag ay ‘piso’. Ang isang gramo noon ay pumapatak ng isang libo. Ngayon yata nasa P4K na isang gramo. di ko na alam yung halagang katumbas ng ‘piso’ noon.

“Yang mga runner na kamukha ni Siaron ang nahahawakan lang yung mga pa-piso-pisong transaksyon. Hindi mo pagtitiwalaan ang isang addict sa shabu na ibalik pa sa iyo yung P4,000 mong isang gramo e ni hindi makabili ng pagkain. Ang mga talagang tulak ay hindi umaalis ng bahay dahil maghapong rumaratrat kasama ng mga customer at kung aalis siya ay mawawalan siya ng benta. Kaya nga merong mga runner.

“Ang tingin ko sa mga katulad ni Siaron ay biktima at hindi kriminal na dapat patayin. Malayo sila sa ‘pusher’”.

More appalling than the killing of those suspected to be involved in illegal drugs are cases of “mistaken identity” or “collateral damage.”

Like the case of working student Roman Clifford Manaois who happened to ride in the tricycle with a drug user being targeted by a vigilante group. When they killed the alleged drug addict who just got off the tricycle, they also killed Oman who was inside the pedicab.

The Philippines Defense Forces Forum gave some tips on how to avoid being a collateral damage in Duterte’s war against illegal drugs.

1. Don’t hitch a ride with known or rumored drug personalities.

2. If you have a known or rumored midlevel illegal drug personality in your neighborhood who owns a car similar in color, brand and model to yours, ditch your car.

3. If you have a resemblance to a rumored drug personality, alter your appearance. Change your hairstyle. Color your hair.

4. If you were involved in an altercation with political personalities or barangay officials, be extra careful and check if your name has been included in the list. Some officials have listed their personal enemies even if they are not involve in illegal drugs.

Most of all pray. We are in troubled times.