Guest author:
- DIMAPUNO A. DATU-RAMOS, JR., RN, MD, MHA; Director IV, Bureau of External Relations (BER) ; Spokesman, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)
Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-bSH
COMMENTARY|
There was a time when heinous crimes were so sensational that enraged society members pushed for harsher punishments to be meted out to the perpetrators. In the 70s and 80s, and even up to the 90s, the government authorities ensured that the victims and their families received justice. Society felt the pain of losing one member who fell prey to unscrupulous individuals, and they depended on the police to implement the law.
But what if it is some lawmen who are the perpetrators of the crime?
Recently, a Muslim Filipino trader from Nueva Ecija was victimized and murdered allegedly by a suspected group of law enforcers in active service, her body burned and buried in a shallow grave to hide the evidence of the crime. This prompted multiple organizations and individuals from the public and private sector to cry out for justice, with statements flying out of social media as fast as the rallies were organized. There were press releases from legislators, NGO representatives, the media, and netizens who voiced their sentiments on social media. Even the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos was involved in the public’s demand for swift action, with the NCMF-North Luzon Regional Office led by Director Raihanah Macarimpas personally coordinating with the victim’s family.
Philippine National Police (PNP) head General Guillermo Eleazar had promised that such scalawags will have no more place among the ranks of his men. All suspects were dismissed from service, and have been filed with criminal charges.
Sadly, it ends there for most stories involving such heinous crimes. Lucky are the families who have bodies to claim, or a witness to corroborate their claims that such a violation of Philippine Law occurred. They have the option to fight in court, though it takes years of waiting, with the possibility of an elusive court decision brought about by allegations of corruption within the judiciary.
Even more disconcerting is the desensitization of Filipinos when it comes to such events. It is not just murder. Kidnapping, theft of public funds, failure of public systems, abuse of various sectors, economic sabotage. Sadly, the interest of advocates can only be held until the next sensational news item hits the pages of social media. The clamor for justice slowly fades within a few days, society forgets, and life moves on. Crimes have become so commonplace that we have learned to take it in stride, with social involvement beginning and ending with words of condemnation.
What must come after the public’s outcry?
Among those who had released their public statements about the Nueva Ecija murder were Muslim Filipino legislators who expressed their desire for immediate justice. This is not enough. Maybe, it is time for them to re-examine the laws covering prosecution of crimes committed by the sworn protectors of the State, to include the AFP, PNP, as well as the elected and appointed officials in government service.
Civic groups can help the government empower communities by raising awareness about basic rights, and establishing internal systems that would support any member whose rights are abused. The NCMF-Bureau of Legal Affairs regularly conducts the Community Legal Education Program (CLEP) through the Regional Offices which helps through basic legal education and training of community paralegals.
Even netizens can fight against desensitization by ensuring that the public outcry does not die down, that social media continues to retain the relevance of significant issues, and that Filipinos will receive the information that would fuel conversations. Let us not make crimes commonplace by allowing mainstream media to profit from the grief of families, or the fascination for blood and violence. Let us rally against the preponderance of fake news, and increase the accessibility of the communities to information based on fact and informed minds. If we accept such heinous events as a part of daily life in the Philippines, then we grow and nurture callouses in our morality. We become numb, yet we need to feel the pain for society to continue fighting for what is right and for the truth.
We pray for the families who still seek justice, and ask Allah swt for the protection of all Filipinos against the dangers of a desensitized society. (✓)
The views and statements here are solely the author’s.
Photo credits to the owner.