Underserved and Undeserved

Human rights violations and extrajudicial killings were two heightened issues during the Martial Law
period in the Philippines. They were recently brought to light again during the last presidential term wherein
there was this rampant and ferocious war on drugs in an attempt to solve the country’s problem of drug use and
abuse. Certain similarities stand out in both periods in history. First, the government went full force in
controlling the social and political state of the country. Next, there was an extensive disregard for human life.
As a result, human rights violations became widespread. Many people were jailed and even killed for crimes
that they may not have committed. Even if guilty, the individuals received treatments expressed as inhumane
and atrocious. For the sake of peace and order, justice was set aside.

I cannot say much on the events surrounding the Martial Law period except for first hand stories from
witnesses and historical texts. I, however, was well aware of the extensive war on drugs that took place a few
years back. From my understanding at the start, the government has finally laid down its iron fist in tackling
issues that become sources of problems of society. As pointed by the stern former president, “if you destroy my
country and you destroy the young people by feeding them with drugs, you destroy the future.” For my part, as
probably with many other individuals at the start, this was a great endeavor for peace and order in the country.
Peace, order, and justice can exist if the lawbreakers are held responsible for their actions. I did not think much
on the details regarding individuals who were placed in jail during the tokhang periods. I thought of it as justice
served. I saw justice as correction of actions and putting this people behind bars and getting them rehabilitated
are corrections of those actions. However, as I encountered stories and allegations of human rights violations
and extrajudicial killings, my understanding of the word justice changed. My encounter with Luzviminda Siapo,
dearly addressed as Nanay Minda, has brought to light aspects of justices and injustices which I had not realized
before. Nanay Minda was in Kuwait when she received news of her son’s death. Her son Raymart, in a heated
dispute with a neighbor, was reported by the latter to the barangay officials as marijuana user. Immediately the next
day, Raymart was accosted by masked armed men and eventually killed. Nanay Minda expressed her disbelief in
the killing of her son over false accusations. Even more so was her belief in the people and the system that were set
in place to protect citizens, such as her son. As she expressed, she lost her faith in the leadership and in the efforts
of the government in their endeavors.

It is evident from Nanay Minda’s story that her son has been failed in receiving due protection and justice.
Nanay Minda’s story is among a list of many other stories who share the same injustices done to them. Injustice
was put in place when innocent individuals are blamed for acts or crimes they did not commit. Injustice took place
when these innocent beings lose their lives over false accusations. Injustice was furthermore inflicted when the
government failed to investigate into the aftermath of these matters. The disregard for human life and human
dignity is evident from start to end when matters such as extrajudicial killings are not taken seriously as a major
offense. I believe that the reason why the justice system in this country fails terribly is not that it is disorganized
or ineffective, but rather because of the lack of values upheld by the people running the system. In their zealous
attempt to solve certain problems, they fail to put into place the proper values that reflect human nature. The
Church’s role is ever so important at a time like this to remind the people and the leaders of their responsibility
in upholding basic human rights. Natural laws of human dignity, right to life, and even pursuit of happiness
were curbed to the side when many citizens fell victim to maltreatment and abuse during the period of ‘war on
drugs’.
 Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno even described his experience when his father, a lawyer as well, was
captured, and jailed at the onset of the declaration of Martial Law. It was a traumatic experience for him at a
young age. His father took the opposite stand and placed emphasis on human rights, something which lawyer
Chel Diokno continued as his career. A political move took away the basic rights of the people. Years later,
justice was not even met for all the mayhem and atrocities that the citizens encountered. Diokno’s father did get
to spend time in jail, however many others were not lucky. With the recent war on drugs, many victims are from
the poor and the disadvantaged sectors of society. This also shed light on how injustice is prevalent. With the
weak and the defenseless, their voices can go unheard if not for the human rights sector who try to bring to light
the injustice done to them.

Injustice does occur in situations when one is blamed for something that they did not do. For example, I
was once blamed for badmouthing a classmate. I felt the injustice in this situation because I was being blamed
for something that I know I did not do. The grudge that my other classmates carried on over the days is also
injustice to me. I have done nothing to deserve such, but I did feel the brunt of it. There should be correction of
actions, but it should be done in ways that does not violate human rights. While the government may take an
absolutist standpoint on this issue, seeing it urgent that the goal is met, I take the stand that there is always a
lesser evil in every situation. Disregard for life defeats our daily purpose in working towards the common good
and solidarity. Justice is not only about correction of actions. It is correction of actions but people get what is
fair, right, and due to them. For me, the end will not always justify the means. Peace and justice are achieved
when all considerations of human basic rights are upheld.