Ouster plot may lead to bloody civil war

Batas Mauricio

IS there a plot to oust or unseat President Duterte? Judging from what is coming out in the media, not only about the plan submitted by former US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg but also about alleged machinations by a rich Filipina who is now based in the US in cooperation with the political opposition here, there are several existing plots to kick out the President.

The formula actually is simple: create discontent, divide the people, alienate Filipinos from Duterte, and then stage a “peaceful revolution” patterned after the so-called “people power”-US led revolution of 1986. This pattern or formula is actually enshrined in the 1987 Constitution which was passed under the term of the first President Aquino.

The only problem or hitch here, at this point in the history of Philippines and the Filipinos, is that, Duterte continues to enjoy a huge support among the people, as shown by surveys. While it may have been easy ousting President Marcos and President Estrada before–considering the discontent of the masses–there maybe a strong opposition against ousting Duterte, which could lead to a bloody civil war.

Certainly, talks about ousting the President of this country could have very dire repercussions even if the ouster is not actually carried out. Any frenzy brought about by plans to kick out our country’s leader has the effect of a devastating destabilization which could make the economy turn from bad to worse, and make life needlessly more difficult for many once again.

This is the reason why I have been saying all along that the “people power” provision in the 1987 Constitution–which allows our people to rise up against duly constituted authorities–is a curse, rather than a blessing. It is a recipe for rebellion, for lawlessness and anarchy, and for sedition and insurrection, which wreck the stability of our country.

It is also anti-biblical, because it runs counter to established doctrines about obedience to our rulers and to the authorities, even if they are harsh and sinful. As a people believing in God, Filipinos are mandated to respect their rulers, and that anyone fighting these rulers will receive God’s judgment and punishment. We are told to pray for our leaders, not to oust them.

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I really don’t know if is true that President Duterte has resorted to crying every night to ease the pain of knowing that thousands and thousands of government officials are involved in the debilitating illegal drugs trade in the country but, perhaps, somebody should remind him that crying, as he already knows for sure, will not really solve anything.

And the President’s men will surely try to explain again that he was merely being byperbolic or exaggerating once again when he claimed he is crying every night, but if this information is really true, it would confirm the seriousness and true gravity of the illegal drugs problem that the Philippines is facing.

It is also giving the information that either there is now a glaring admission by the Duterte government that the existing policy on fighting drug addicts, drug lords, and drug syndicates with violence and death is ineffective, or that something more effective than simply murdering those involved in drugs is needed.

I maybe repeating myself, but the reason there is a profitable illegal drugs trade in the Philippines is that there are millions and millions of Filipinos who use and patronize illegal drugs. Duterte’s figure of some four million drug addicts, which is already mind-boggling to say the least, still appears to be a greatly conservative estimate.

Consequently, in a sincere campaign to eradicate the use of illegal drugs, there must be a parallel move to stop our people from using, patronizing, and buying, these substances. The only way to do this is to change their mind, and lift their spirits, through instilling in them the fear and love of God.

There must likewise be a campaign to rekindle spirituality among our people, with the full participation and encouragement of the Duterte government. We must derive inspiration, as starters, from the Supreme Court’s requirement of reciting an ecumenical prayer in all courts throughout the country before any hearing is conducted. Then we must proceed towards Bible studies conducted by churches or religious groups among their members. Change coming from a God-filled heart and mind is the only real change!