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Monday, September 11, 2006
Mongaya: Less a democracy with each death
By Anol Mongaya
TO DEFLECT blame for the death of a Bayan leader in Bohol, law enforcement authorities are floating conflicting theories. However, I’ve read accounts of the unfortunate cleansing operations within the rebel ranks and the killing of Victor Olayvar does not quite fit the pattern.
In the battle for the hearts and minds, the strategy seems to be eliminating the leaders then sowing confusion among the militants. Will this work? During the Marcos dictatorship, eliminating Fr. Rudy Romano from the scene only fueled further protests. But the protest movement was strong then unlike today when the militants seem to lack able organizers.
This time, pressure on the Arroyo administration comes from its tarnished image abroad. The Philippines is supposedly a democratic country. We want to show the world that we are a democracy.
We are even siding with the United States and Europe in their stand for democracy in Burma, a fellow member in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Other Asian nations, particularly the authoritarian ones like China and Vietnam, have established trade with Burma while the United States and its allies are using economic pressures to push the military dictatorship towards democracy.
But what moral ascendancy could the Philippines exercise when the continued killings belie our claim to being democratic? Should our exercise of regular elections be our only basis for being democratic? The Arroyo administration may have gained the upper hand against the opposition claims on the president’s mandate, but what about other basis for calling our country democratic like respect for human rights and a strong justice system.
Today, we want to show our best side with the arrival of hundreds of delegates to the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Organization. Rep. Tony Cuenco is proudly hosting his guests as the conference opens today at the Marco Polo Hotel.
However, with each death of militant leaders, along with the death of journalists and the culture of death inspired by anti-crime vigilantes, we are becoming less a democracy in the eyes of our neighbors.
If only because the Philippines will host the 12th Summit of the Asean this December and a host of other Asean-related conferences, perhaps our political leaders should exert pressure on law enforcers and the military to put a stop on the trend of killings of militant leaders, journalists and criminal elements.
Our strength internationally, especially within Asean, is not economic. However, we are the country that is supposedly a bulwark of democracy. We should show them that our democratic institutions are working in addressing our socio-economic and political problems.
Killing leaders of militant yet legal organizations is a fascist method reminiscent of the Marcos years.
The trend of killings involving journalists is an anachronism with democracy that the Arroyo administration is supposedly championing. Instead of resorting to legal and democratic means in dealing with the press and the fourth estate, the response is increasingly violent.
The reign of vigilantism definitely shoots down whatever thoughts we have of a healthy democratic justice system. We have placed on the vigilante the right to decide who is guilty and the responsibility to eliminate them. The continued killings in Cebu despite the arrival of hundreds of additional policemen are not just mere slaps on the capability of our police force.
Each death indeed weakens our claims to being a democracy. As host and presiding country in the coming 12th Asean summit, each death robs us of moral ascendancy as a democratic country.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 11, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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