“So, magpapaka-hero ka? (So, are you going to be a hero?)”
THIS was asked to my friend years ago when she caught on video the inappropriate actions of a college instructor that threw a fit after having her illegal money-making activities exposed.
She was one of the few people who had cellphones with a video camera that time, and she would have wanted to use her asset for a just cause and take the video to other teachers who could help her with the case. The teachers would then supposedly take the video to the appropriate authorities of the University for appropriate disciplinary measures.
They all hoped to finally put an end to the malicious acts that victimized generations and generations of students.
Until her boyfriend deleted the video on her phone.
Why would anyone want to get in the way of justice?
It’s because the boyfriend that time was afraid that his girlfriend might get caught in the middle. That if she really would have won her cause, he was afraid that the teacher might find out who got the video on tape and sent it to the higher ups.
Here in Marawi, the glory and shame of one family member is also of the whole clan. He was afraid that the teacher’s family might seek for payback and threaten the girl.
This is just one of the many heroic stories of good versus evil that never was. Only the latter stayed.
It’s not that because they decided to retire to indifference or apathy, it was because many are afraid to speak up because they know not only the burdens, but also the heavy consequences.
They are so afraid that they choose to keep their lips sealed and endure in silence, hoping that someone who has enough guts – and protection – would one day show up and expose their suffering.
Many other stories of criminality and culprits are present among the people, not just here in Marawi and Lanao del Sur. Many decided to settle on hearsays and rumors and would refuse to take further steps to resolving the issue because they were afraid.
For example, people in the area already have a clue as to why and how the siege-like disaster happened in Pagayawan and Tubaran, Lanao del Sur.
There are also stories about three missing teenage girls who were riding transportation vans going to and fro MSU Marawi and Iligan.
Some may have already known the ones doing it, but refuse to say a word about it. Some will reason out that because they are afraid for their lives, while some will say that they just want to protect their families and fears the possibility of a “rido” or family feud.
Bargaining for witness protection programs is also a hard deal to make, especially for people who are afraid to lose the lives they are living now.
Stronger law enforcement and police force is definitely needed for a place like ours. Where people think that the law is weak, they also allow their malicious tendencies to manifest stronger.
(rizsunio@gmail.com)