Libre: Police state

IS the Philippines becoming a police state? Has it turned into “a totalitarian state controlled by a political police force that secretly supervises the citizens’ activities”?

Mindanao, under Martial Law, is a police state. While during the Marcos dictatorship civil liberties were disregarded, opposition was suppressed, and the government took over private media facilities, Duterte’s brand of military rule is restrained, as the directive to the Armed Forces of the Philippines stated that this did not suspend the operation of the Constitution or take over functions of the judicial and legislative assemblies, or suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

Majority of the people in Mindanao support Martial Law, especially in the urban areas as peace and order have improved. The threat of arrest by the military has placed media, both mainstream and alternative, and organizers of protests and rallies, on cautionary mode. It is different in the rural areas where the brunt of the military is felt by Lumad communities including denial of media access, food blockade and killing of Lumad leaders.

In general, Duterte’s Martial Law has so far been taken positively. It was like that, too, during the early days of Marcos’s rule as demonstrations ceased, the people became disciplined and crony media heralded the New Society. But that was just a façade for the corruption, human rights violations and extravagance of Marcos and his minions.

The Economist on June 14, 2018 wrote about the Philippines: “After decades of triumph, democracy is losing ground.” It pointed out as examples the extra-judicial slayings of suspected drug dealers and the forcing out of Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice. It didn’t mention the continued detention of Sen. Leila de Lima, the harassment of independent media, the ruination of the Aquinos and rehabilitation of the Marcoses.

Add to that the crackdown on tambays. Already, human rights groups have raised such issues as violation of the right against illegal or arbitrary arrest as well as the right to due process.

True that there are unscrupulous individuals who make our streets unsafe, yet Filipinos have long been known for being sociable people. After a day’s work, some people meet up with friends. Nothing wrong with that. For those who can afford, they’d hang out in bars, malls and other entertainment joints. But for those who are underprivileged, the street or the nearest sari-sari store is the haven for socialization.

PNP’s Oplan Tambay Sita may have good intent but the campaign has heightened the suspicion of the growing militarization of the country. Everyone wants to have safe public places and streets but when law-abiding citizens fear arrest or detention just because he or she is out with friends, then the drive is utterly wrong.

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