Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jun 2016
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2016
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622

DELIVERING ON A PROMISE

He promised voters a killing spree against bad guys, and he won by a 
landslide. So Rodrigo Duterte looks determined to deliver on his 
promise and carry out his mandate.

Already the president-elect is laying the groundwork for this, 
putting up bounties for notorious drug lords and encouraging citizen 
participation in crime busting. He has placed retired military and 
police officers in charge of even agencies that require expertise in 
complex financial matters, apparently with the prime objective of 
purging the corrupt or at least scaring them enough to mend their 
ways. Yesterday Duterte said he wanted a berdugo - literally, an 
executioner - to head what he described as a graft-ridden Philippine 
Charity Sweepstakes Office.

With a P5-million bounty for every notorious drug trafficker killed 
either by cops or civilians, and a slightly lower amount for 
capturing one, his war on drugs is sure to get swift results. This is 
something that will sit well among those used to instant 
gratification, or who are fed up with criminality associated with 
drug abuse and the corruption and violence that go with the illegal drug trade.

Citizen arrests are allowed and killing someone caught in the act of 
committing a crime is justified by law under certain circumstances. 
But generally, in a democracy, justice is served when guilt is 
established and the side of the accused has been heard. Due process 
is guaranteed and innocence is presumed for all suspects.

Giving law enforcers and civilians alike the imprimatur to play God, 
allowing them to act like accuser, prosecutor, judge and executioner 
all rolled into one, is a power that is easily abused, especially in 
a country with a long history of gross human rights violations.

Even the call for three police generals to resign because they are 
involved in drugs could have been done quietly, whether or not the 
accusation is true. Now any star-rank police officer who leaves the 
service will be suspect, and who will admit to being a drug dealer, a 
serious offense that can warrant a life sentence?

The president-elect can be lauded for doing what he can to achieve 
quick results, and for moving resolutely to deliver on his campaign 
promises. But lives and careers are at stake. There are laws to be 
followed and rights guaranteed by the Constitution that the nation's 
chief executive is sworn to uphold.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom