And the killings continue

By: Modesto P. Sa-onoy

During the last three days, three more victims were added into the list of those whose deaths are attributed to the illegal drugs trade. The kneejerk conclusion was that the murders were related to this prohibited trade and so the public, attuned to this thinking, writes off the killings as “normal”. After the police had taken their initial steps, the case is practically considered closed. It is just another number in police statistics.

The public mind had been conditioned to this “normalcy” since President Rodrigo Duterte came into power and the Philippine National Police adopted a scheme to rid this country of illegal substances to fulfill the president’s promise during the election that he would solve the drug problem within six months in office or at most, one year.

The president has served over half his term and the main operator of Operation Tokhang that led to the deaths of thousands of persons alleged to be engaged in the trade of prohibited drugs has become a senator. The lower ranks who implement the operation have turned media stars of sorts and got promoted. But the problem remains.

And so, the killing continues. More are expected considering this trade, from manufacture to street distribution remains in the daily news. The supply of these drugs and the number of people involved appear to be limitless.

The former chief of the Philippine National Police was forced to resign days before retirement on the charge that he was weak when his men recycled the drugs they confiscated. And yet, the daily reports of deaths, arrests and confiscation do not abate. The problem remains despite the draconian and deadly police methods.

Two things have become clear since the President’s method was enforced: (1) the public has become inured to the unsolved killings; and (2) the problem remains as unresolvable as ever. Despite his intent to put an end to this modern scourge with unconventional methods and the people’s apparent support, the President appears helpless and unable to find new ways.

And so, the killing method continues, the illegal traders undaunted.

The killings also continue in the insurgency front. The communists and the government are talking again to, well, talk once more. The Christmas season is often used to justify another round of talks, but nothing had happened to give hope that the communist insurgency will end.

The communist insurgents have become another killing machine. There seems to be no more ideology for their rebellion, not even a clear program from the surviving leaders who have opted to stay abroad than fight in the Philippines. While their warriors suffer the inconveniences of the life of the hunted, the leaders live in comfort in a foreign land.

Do they still direct operations or have they lost control of the field?

This question begs an answer because while the government has reopened the door for a new discussion, the NPA ambushed civilians in Samar. We can expect the usual revolutionary taxes but a violent attack not on military forces but against civilians does not speak well of a group that swears to be on the side of the poor and the exploited.

In fact, we have not heard any ideological statements from the local insurgents. When Ka Frank Fernandez was still active in the field, he would issue ideology loaded pronouncements. But he is now in government custody and there is nobody among the field commanders who can claim the level of credibility as Fernandez or Louie Jalandoni.

These two, former Catholic priests embraced Liberation Theology promoted by Latin American clergymen who have also absorbed the social philosophy that the communists peddled. But while we may see them, and the other priests who had already abandoned the communist program, as misled, we can never question the sincerity in their beliefs.

But they are now gone from the field and the present local leadership have not established credentials to show that they collect taxes for a worthy cause. Thus, the military has exploited the situation by claiming that the NPA have become terrorists and extortionists.

The NPA ranks and the people’s view of them have changed drastically. The army is gaining the propaganda war, helped ironically by the lack of substantive ideological bases for the continued killing of civilians.

The communist ranks are thinning. Attrition will be their strongest enemy.