Another unfortunate case of injustice to activists

By Joshua Corcuera

 

Last October 9, 2020, the daughter of Reina Mae Nasino died at three months old. The innocent infant spent her final moments without the care of her imprisoned mother. According to various groups and organizations, Nasino — who is a political prisoner — is detained on trumped-up charges. After knowing that her daughter is in critical condition, her lawyers, last Friday, urgently requested the court to allow Nasino to see her dying daughter one last time. On that night, however, the poor infant was gone — distant from her mother’s arms.

The painful and catastrophic death of a political prisoner’s poor child is a testament to the alarming situation of activists in the Philippines. Moreover, this adds to the devastating fate met by other critics and dissidents of the administration. Two months ago, activists Alvarez and Echanis were gunned down, and their killers are yet to be punished. Beyond reasonable doubt, the Philippines is not a haven for activists who fight for a certain cause. Instead of welcoming their voices, violence and intimidation threaten activists in our country. Also, just like in the case of Nasino, the safety and well-being of activists’ children and relatives are in peril.

The worst part is that the terrible fate suffered by activists is a form of injustice. Never forget that Senator Revilla was allowed in 2017 to visit his ailing father. While former first lady Imelda Marcos was convicted of graft in the Sandiganbayan last 2018, but was not arrested due to old age. And just recently, Joseph Scott Pemberton, an American soldier convicted of homicide after killing Jennifer Laude, was granted absolute pardon by President Duterte.

If these people were able to see their ailing relatives one last time, escape prison time, and receive absolute pardon, then why can’t a political prisoner be granted to see her dying daughter one last time? Obviously, a double standard exists in the implementation of the law — one that is beneficial for oppressors, and prejudicial against the oppressed. Indeed, it is frustrating that in modern times, injustice remains widespread and relevant in Philippine society.

With these given facts, the death of Nasino’s daughter clearly shows the depressing reality that we live in — that the Philippine justice system favors the rich and the powerful, and fails the poor and the weak. In other words, genuine justice is still elusive in the country we are currently living in. Now, more than ever, the manner by which the-powers-that-be understand and apply the concept of justice is clearly and compellingly convoluted. In the hopes of attaining a just and humane society, the masses must pressure those in power to implement the law in a fair manner. To implement the law in a fair manner is to punish oppressors to the full extent of the law, and to be compassionate to the oppressed — not the other way around.