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Saturday, January 01, 2005
Speak out: The killings must stop!
By Fr. Carmelo Diola
Incidents of crime have made many Cebuanos fear for their lives and property. Cell-phone snatching, jeepney holdups, fraternity wars, etc. It seems authorities have been powerless in dealing with them.
It is in this context that the operation of a death squad(s?) gained support from a significant number of Cebuanos. I myself confess to having fantasized about a peaceful Cebu resulting from such extra-judicial killings.
Still, the killings must stop! The remedy is worse than the sickness. The end does not justify the means. A wrong cannot be righted by committing another wrong. Short-term solutions can spell long-term crisis.
Human rights
Such killings violate human rights since civilized society presumes an accused innocent until proven guilty. If these criminals do not recognize the rights of their victims, does this mean civilized society should stoop down to their level?
Relying on vigilantes is tantamount to a complete loss of faith in our pillars of justice. So does this mean that we do away with the manner in which our society is presently organized? Do away with law enforcers, the judiciary, and the penal system?
Some look to Davao as model. But peace at what cost? Death squads act like angels of death, only that they are no angels but men with absolute powers—accuser, judge, and executioner.
But how sure are we that these men of death who are no longer subject of control have not perpetrated more grievous crimes? And weren’t the victims in Davao mostly young and poor?
Head for an eye
Not all the victims of the death squad had murder raps. Yet they paid for their lives. Are we degenerating into a society where the rule is not only “eye for an eye” but “head for an eye”?
Finally, there is the issue of making crime pay. In our present society, crime seems to be a low-risk, high-return venture. The equation needs to be reversed.
Meanwhile, one has to ask: Would these thieves be doing their thing if nobody buys what they steal? If so, aren’t the buyers as guilty as the snatchers?
A story from Luke’s gospel recalls certain Galileans killed by Pilate. These were probably troublemakers who deserved their lot.
Yet Jesus reminded his listeners: “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”
What about alleged drug lords, smugglers, corrupt officials, etc.? When and where do we draw the line?
Blood lust
Vigilante killings merely seek to appease some sectors’ blood lust, just as the ancient Roman emperors did with their carnivals and gladiatorial combat. Weren’t these merely attempts to draw the public’s attention away from governmental and societal failure?
I am no expert in law and order, but I know that we all can contribute to a long-term solution by thinking with our heads, not with our broken hearts, and by looking at the broader and long-term picture not just the immediate situation.
After all, if there is one place where peace reigns: the cemetery. I don’t think this is the peace we want.
(January 1, 2005 issue)
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