The fight vs impunity

Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro said that foreign groups should not dictate how the Philippines will solve its problems on its own way. As Teodoro said: We are dealing with the issue of extra-judicial killings structurally in the department. It will be at our pace, on our terms, in our own programs.

While we agree with his message as a statement of Philippine sovereignty, we are in buried in doubt. First, what pace? 20 years? 50 years? Ilang beses na rin ba itong sinabi ni Gloria -- na aayusin niya ang culture of impunity sa Pilipinas? During the post-Marcos period, sa panahon niya lamang may pinakamalalang patayan. Worse, instead of a declining figure, lalo pa atang tumataas.

Second, in what terms? Killing the noisy ones lalo na ang media? In the Gloria administration alone, 7 journalists are killed per year. Mas malala sa panahon ni Erap na kalaban talaga ng media, o ni Tabako Ramos na isang military general. Di pa kabilang ang mga frustrated killings.

Third, in what program? Feeding program lalo na ng mga underpaid na media? O kaya PP 1017? O kaya ang pagbabawal na mag-rally at magpahayag ng sama ng loob laban sa gobyerno?

Instead of babbling, mas maganda na ipakita ang blueprint paano ito ma-address. At agad-agad dapat may sample. Alam na pala ni Teodoro na may mga military personnel involved, ba't di pa yun ilabas at i-prosecute? Mas inuuna pa ang Magdalo case na huling nangyari kaysa sa mga journalists and Leftists killed starting from he first few years of Gloria Administration. If they consider the Magdalo's actions are an attack to democracy, mas malala ang nangyaring mga pagpapatay. They are not only an attack to democracy but on the freedoms of life and liberty as well as the freedom of the press - the basic foundations of democracy. Kung baga, bubong lang ang ginulo ng Magdalo samantalang sa mga pinatay na journalists at Leftists, pundasyon ang sinira. Kaya hindi kataka-takang bagsak ang Pilipinas sa pagiging isang tunay na demokrasya sa mata ng ibang bansa at sa mata ng mga international entities.