Visayas Today
Bro. Tagoy Jakosalem, OAR
November 4, 2019
The Duterte government might think that by arresting the leaders and members of progressive organizations in Bacolod City and Negros island, it will silence the collective voices of its critics.
However, it has, instead, created a ripple effect of condemnation.
The progressive groups are legal organizations and have proven this by their continued pro-people representation in the House of Representatives thru the party-list system.
These organizations have long-standing records of having mass-based efforts to conscientize contemporary Philippine society to fight for sovereignty and social rights (social equity, land reform, health, education, labor, among others).
Currently, they are exposing the ills of Duterte’s regime, especially its failed commitment to the poor, the unreasonable termination of the peace process, the unending killings of activists, and the destructive casualties of the war on drugs.
Their solid and consistent calls on relevant issues surely have had disturbing effects on the President and on police and military officials.
Labeling the arrested members of these progressive organizations as “rebels” is a bias perpetrated by rightist ideologues in the military. The raids and arrests bear the marks of CIA-military style of the past, a propaganda machine that is entirely oppressive and based on the paranoia of the military and the police.
The October 31 raids send the message that it is a crime now to be a member of KMU, NFSW, Bayan, Bayan Muna, Kabataan, or to be affiliated in any way with a progressive group. The malicious acts of the AFP-PNP are meant to warn the nation that it is a crime now to criticize the Duterte government and that any warrant can be issued by any judge in favor of the government.
Instead of arrests and other methods of suppression like killings or abductions, our government, and especially the state forces, must rely on the integral approach of addressing the social ills that breed poverty, injustice and their inevitable offspring, rebellion. A military solution to social problems is never right and can only create more problems.
We should, in fact, even be thankful for the many progressive groups and individuals in our midst for they are the ones articulating what others wish but may be too afraid or powerless to say about the oppressive structures of our society. Their advocacies benefit all of us, especially the poor Filipinos. They speak out on many affecting the poor like wage increases, fare hikes, fuel rate increases, tuition, labor rights, etc.
The repression unleashed by our state forces is a surefire recipe for rebellion.
We cannot just agree with these despotic methods, these raids and arrests, and the gross disrespect for human rights by arresting workers attending a meeting and youth rehearsing for a play.
This utter disregard for human rights can only inspire brave Filipinos to find means to not just speak out against the systemic abuses of state forces but to act against the government.
The state forces are brazenly wielding their power and taking shortcuts with our laws, much like the role they play in the war on the poor, also known as the war on drugs, which has claimed more than 30,000 lives and continues to claim more.
They seem to ignore the fact that after Duterte’s reign, they and their patron will be called to account for their roles in the bloodshed. To name but a few: Año, Albayalde, Espenido, Garma, Sinas, and their “DDS hitmen.”
The families of those they have murdered will surely demand that they be brought to justice.
This is not the kind of country we envisioned after the fall of Marcos…
Tagoy Jakosalem, OAR is a religious brother actively involved in JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) initiatives. He is currently abroad working in an NGO, supporting grassroots communities with projects and programs related to poverty and environment.
