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BY JOSIAH JAYZON O. MANGANGOT
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Thursday, March 9, 2017
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“SANA araw-araw nalang ang ASEAN meeting dito sa Iloilo,” said one of the reporters of Panay News while we were patrolling the city for coverage. Asked why, she pointed to the stationed policemen on the streets and said “I feel safer because of them around.”
Safety. This is what the world clamors for. The reason why “world peace” is somehow a standard answer during pageants is because that is what we all want. If there is peace, there is safety; if there is safety, there is joy.
It is, however, sad that there needs to be a gathering of ASEAN leaders before one – such as the reporter – can appreciate and enjoy ‘peace’ and ‘protection’ of this sort due to the heavy presence of policemen in the city.
“I agree that these leaders are important and their decisions are necessary and are of utmost significance for the relationship of the member states to be stronger thus regional unity and progress; but are we not, as the Filipino citizenry, also deserving to have the same treatment on a daily basis?” asked by another reporter.
One of the reasons why I support the current administration is because of its desire to make the society safe by purging the lurking evils of drugs and criminality. The message of a peaceful nation for the future generations reverberates in this change-hungry heart of mine. It is with a heavy heart and closed eyes that I accept the reality of blood flow for the achievement of such peace and safety; but it is with an open mind that I argue that the method of how it is pursued is in the context of democracy.
In the Philippines, we elect the government. We vote for representatives and give them their mandate to make decisions on our behalf. When millions of Filipinos voted for Rody, he was given that power to decide for us. He was given the power by the “majority.” So when he signaled the start of the war, the “majority” decided.
But in a democracy there will always be a divide. A minority will always be present. This is the beauty of democracy. While one side fights for what they believe is right and necessary, the other side will say no. While others appreciate how the government is trying to achieve the safety we so long to have, others will not. There will always be opposing sides, an indication of equilibrium needed for a democratic society to thrive.
But if we all desire safety, can we not at least agree that sometimes the only way to achieve this is to wreak havoc to that which is hindering us from experiencing it in the first place?
“Yes, we as a nation deserve to be safe. And guess what, believe it or not, the government is actually doing it for us,” said I./PN
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