OUANO, ANNA MAE JANINE E.

BSBA – HRDM A2023

READING IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

REACTION PAPER

“DUTERTE’S WAR ON DRUGS”

The topic of Duterte's War on Drugs, this reported by Enriquez, and Galapon, Guiao, Gulmatico.

When President Rodrigo Duterte sat as the leader of our beloved country after he led the May 2016 Presidential
Elections, he hit the ground running of a number of key promises during his campaign. And the most
controversial is his campaign against illegal drugs and criminality or the so-called “WARON DRUGS”. And he
even stated that he would launch a bloody war against drugs. After months past, the nation saw a spate of
killings of people involved in illegal drugs. However, there is no really general outrage because only the dregs
of society have been eliminated by the police. But if you checked the social networking sites, many citizens are
concerned and fear for the life of our President because it is for the first time in the history of our country that a
President of the Philippines used his political capital to go to an all-out war against illegal drugs. And yes, I
agree in this presidential strategy of President Duterte, the “War on drugs” campaign and here are the reasons
why:

In less than a month of his presidency, his campaign already resulted into something unimaginable, where
hundreds if not thousands of drug users, pushers, or even drug lords in different regions of the Philippines are
surrendering in great numbers and overwhelming the police headquarters. It is obvious that these persons and
personalities involved fear for their lives and would rather surrender to authorities than go rest in peace sooner
than later. The national police reported that they have visited a total of 6,719,603 houses which they called the
“Oplan tokhang” where they try to persuade suspected drug users to submit themselves to drug rehabilitation.
And this is one, I think, of the positive sides of this “war on drugs” campaign to give drug users and pushers an
opportunity to change their ways. And some foundations have opened doors such as farm schools and livelihood
programs to drug dependents who genuinely want to be rehabilitated. And as a result, more than 1,117,433 of
those admitted they used illegal drugs while 75,000 are known pushers. And this has not happened before in the
past administrations. Other good outcome that makes me support this campaign is that in the sector of tourism.
Tourism stakeholders are keeping their hopes up that this particular campaign would have favorable impact in
the long run.

Although they expressed fears that the “extra-judicial” killing controversy, they believed that
Duterte’s firm resolve on putting a stop to drugs and criminality sends positive signal that the Philippines
is shaping up in terms of improving peace and order and safety environment for tourists and it will be a big
boost to tourism. Another positive result of this campaign is that the “Economic Boom”. Our country’s
President Duterte getting high marks from the business community for policies that could engineer an economic
surge and companies say they are making a new investment as a result. And some in the business sectors even
see Duterte’s violent and highly controversial anti-drug campaign as “potentially positive.
 Another positive result of this campaign is that the “Economic Boom”. Our country’s President
Duterte getting high marks from the business community for policies that could engineer an economic surge and
companies say they are making a new investment as a result. And some in the business sectors
even see Duterte’s violent and highly controversial anti-drug campaign as “potentially positive.

The Government announced that the Philippines economy grew at 7 percent in the second quarter from a year
earlier, its highest level in three years. And it makes the Philippines the fastest growing among all countries that
have reported so far for the second quarter. And there are some people who abuse this campaign, they are killing
people who was involved in illegal drugs in a “vigilante style killing” method. And this is alarming many of
Filipino citizens. And I also agree that there are some members of the police force who may abuse their
authority and we need to address them and charged them appropriately.

The president has always clear about his orders to the police that: be relentless in the war on drugs but within
the confines of the law. He has also issued an equally stern warning to police officers who would violate the
law. But there is another number we seem to be forgetting. The crime rate is down by 32%. Imagine parents
worrying less about their daughters working on call centers and who go home at midnight. Imagine
communities enjoying relative peace as they no longer worry about their sons being hooked on shabu sold by
their neighbors.

For a long time, we have listened to never-ending promises that our peace and order situation will be improved.
Now we have a leader who is doing what he promises with his hell-bent governance on
protecting our nation with his “Kamay na Bakal”. Sure, his style maybe unorthodox, but if trial by
publicity would bring out this scum of society from their hiding places, then so be it. I will not just agree with
this campaign, I supports it.
 “EDSA REVOLUTION”

Their second topic is about EDSA Revolution, discussed by: Legaspi, Dollano, Fulay, and Gulam.

This year marks the 37th anniversary of the momentous 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. The four-day
uprising, which took place from February 22 to 25, will be remembered as the "bloodless" revolution, which
brought an end to a government denoted by human rights atrocities, thievery, and tyranny. The People Power
Revolution, through the eyes of millions of Filipinos, was a social upheaval that sought to overthrow an
authoritarian regime through the collective effort of a democratic nation.
This historic event should be remembered by every Filipino citizen, regardless of their gender or age, and
should serve as our weapon to eliminate any possibility of another dictatorial, and inhumane ruling of an
oppressive government. February 25th, as proclaimed by the office of the president, is indeed a special-non
working holiday.
But this day is not just leisure time to stay home from work or spend time with friends and family; it's a day to
reflect on an important period in our history and, ultimately, recall why the revolution was so significant and
how it still affects our lives today. Since that fateful day in1986, our country has had six presidents. While we
cannot dispute our nation’s growth, we also cannot ignore the persistence of societal problems.

Ordinary Filipinos are still at the mercy of our leaders. From everyday acts of gruesome violence in the streets
caused by extrajudicial executions to the political interests defended by the privileged, the Philippines is not
even a centimeter close to being classified as a fair and peaceful haven for its citizens. Wholeheartedly, I believe
that the “people power” sentiment of the1986 revolution is a legacy that each Filipino must embrace in order to
establish a country built by its people and exclusively for its people. The power of the people is not meant to
have a beginning or an end. It should be an ongoing initiative that capitalizes on what the Philippines, as a
democratic country, really should be. True democracy is where human beings are the priority.

There are no sacrifices committed for military or political gain. A place where human and political rights are
held in high regard. A sanctuary of free expression and speech wherein the voice of the people genuinely guides
the nation on its path towards progress. In my opinion, voting is the greatest method for Filipino citizens to use
their authority in a democratic society. By selecting the best candidate to govern our community, province, and
nation, we contribute to the creation of a country that is best suited for its citizens.
The scars left by the 14-year Martial Law rule, that ultimately prompted the 1986 revolution, are not something
we should easily forget. We must always examine these wounds to determine what went wrong and how it
occurred in the first place.

Our country's current political system is deeply tainted. Unfortunately, the primary objective of numerous public
officials in running for a government seat is not to help the underrepresented and impoverished but to maintain
their own self-interest. And their type will continue to succeed in manipulating the voting system in their favor
because the system is structured to allow it. But even though it appears to be a pipe dream, I still think that with
unity, we can alter this corrupt system. The first step we can do to achieve this is to vote and be well educated.
Governance based on force and terror cannot be allowed to continue, nor could governance be based oneself-
righteousness and hypocrisy. Our people must reclaim their right to choose their leaders, including the authority
to decide how and when this right will be exerted. To summarize, the events of February 25, 1986, changed the
direction of our nation's history; it demonstrated to the world the incredible resolve of the Filipino people. It
signaled the beginning of a new age of peace.
 However, such age of tranquility was quickly dissolved.
Our frail democracy has yet to stand on its own after 35 years of regaining our freedom from Marcos
‘dictatorship.
Filipinos are still subject to a government that prioritizes itself over the people. The EDSA People Power
Revolution will always serve as a reminder that the core strength of democracy is the ability of each one of us to
contribute to nation-building.

We must never forget this defining moment in Philippine history, and we must never be afraid to utilize the
power of the people, for it is only through this power, that we can truly start the change that our nation so
desperately needs.