The Philippines has been embroiled in a contentious "war on drugs" since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016. This campaign has been marked by widespread extrajudicial killings, with estimates suggesting over 7,000 deaths. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating these killings, and in January 2023, the ICC authorized the resumption of its investigation into the situation in the Philippines.
Dr. Agnes Brazal wrote in 2017 a very beautiful and significant article on this topic. And as I understand Dr. Brazal’s article, the heart of this issue is the question of complicity. Dr. Brazal cited Didier Pollefeyt's several paradigms of evil offer a framework for understanding the various ways individuals and institutions participate in evil. According to this article of Dr. Brazal, the first paradigm “diabolicizes” the evildoer, rendering them as non-human and devoid of any redeeming qualities. This perspective is reflected in Duterte's own rhetoric, where he refers to drug addicts as "non-human" and unworthy of a second chance.
The second paradigm clearly expressed in the article of Dr. Brazal highlights the banalization of the evildoer, reducing them to a "thoughtless robot" or "victim" within a larger system. This perspective is evident in the testimonies of law enforcers, who admit to receiving secret payments for each killing. The fear of retaliation and the normalization of violence have created a culture of impunity, where perpetrators are rarely held accountable.
Still, as per Dr. Brazal’s article, the third paradigm ethicizes the evildoer, portraying them as motivated by good intentions and acting in accordance with a twisted "ethics." This perspective is reflected in the rhetoric of Duterte and his supporters, who frame the extrajudicial killings as a necessary evil in the campaign against illegal drugs.
However, this perspective is deeply problematic. It ignores the inherent value and dignity of human life, reducing it to a mere statistic in the "war on drugs." It also perpetuates a culture of violence and impunity, where the powerful are free to act with impunity and the vulnerable are left to suffer.
The ICC's investigation into the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines is a crucial step towards promoting accountability and justice. It is essential that we recognize the complexity of this issue and the various ways individuals and institutions participate in evil. By employing a nuanced theological framework, we can better understand the moral and ethical dimensions of this issue and work towards creating a more just and peaceful society.
A nuanced theological framework for understanding the issue of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the Philippines might consider the following elements:
1. Contextual understanding of sin and evil: Recognizing that EJKs are a manifestation of deeper societal and structural issues, such as poverty, inequality, and corruption.
2. Option for the poor and vulnerable: Emphasizing the Church's preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, who are disproportionately affected by EJKs.
3. Restorative justice and mercy: Exploring the intersection of justice and mercy in the face of EJKs, considering both the need for accountability and the possibility of redemption and healing.
4. Human dignity and the imago Dei: Affirming the inherent dignity of every human being, created in the image of God (imago Dei), and condemning any actions that violate or degrade this dignity.
5. Social sin and structural evil: Analyzing the systemic and structural factors that contribute to EJKs, such as corruption, impunity, and social inequality.
6. Prophetic witness and advocacy: Emphasizing the role of the Church as a prophetic witness and advocate for justice, peace, and human rights.
7. Pastoral care and accompaniment: Providing pastoral care and accompaniment to victims' families and communities, as well as to those involved in the perpetration of EJKs.
This nuanced theological framework would consider the complexities of the issue, acknowledging both the individual and structural dimensions of sin and evil, while emphasizing the importance of justice, mercy, and human dignity.
The role of the Church and other faith communities is critical in promoting a counter-narrative to the dominant discourse of violence and impunity. The Church can always be more passionate in capitalizing on the power of the pulpit. By emphasizing the inherent value and dignity of human life, we can challenge the culture of impunity and promote a culture of accountability and justice.
The extrajudicial killings in the Philippines precipitate a profound theological reckoning, one that compels us to confront the complex nature of evil and its insidious infiltration into the very fabric of our society. It is an evil force that is at once both systemic and personal, perpetuated by individuals and institutions that have succumbed to its corrosive influence.
As we navigate this complex moral terrain, it becomes evident that a nuanced theological framework is essential for illuminating the darkest recesses of this issue. Such a framework must be capable of parsing the intricate web of culpability that ensnares both the perpetrators and the bystanders, and of excavating the deepest sources of our collective complicity in this evil.
In this context, the ICC's investigation into the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines assumes a profound significance, representing as it does a crucial juncture in our collective journey towards accountability and justice. It is a moment of truth that beckons us to confront the shadows of our own complicity, and to choose between the convenience of silence and the difficult beauty of solidarity with the victims.
Ultimately, the eradication of this evil will require a fundamental transformation of our societal ethos, one that prioritizes the sanctity of human life and the promotion of justice over the expedient allure of violence and impunity. It is a transformation that will demand courage, perseverance, and a deepening commitment to the values of compassion, empathy, and solidarity.