By Ben Contreras NARCOS Season 1 is a TV series that tells the story of Colombian Pablo Escobar, how he started from a small-time smuggler of appliances and marijuana into a powerful drug lord that has no qualm in killing those who get in his way or double-cross him. He is surrounded by cold-blooded men who not only kill without second thoughts but also capable of dismembering a human body and feed the pieces into a big stove that resembles a crematorium. All dialogues are in their native tongue (Spanish) except for those DEA agents who doggedly pursue Escobar and CIA who naturally speak in English. But you will get the whole picture which has great similarity of what is happening in our own country. Escobar owes his fortune to one man who survived firing squad for cooking cocaine in a remote area of Turkey. More than 20 people were lined up and killed in one burst of gunfire except this man. Drug money made Escobar super rich that he had to bury some in the ground to avoid the money trail. A farmer had the luck to accidentally dig up a barrel of cash. His money corrupted those in authorities. He acted like Robin Hood to the poor in order to win their sympathy and votes. He killed his would-be rival when he planned to run for President but lost to the anointed one. When the killing became intolerable, the president of Colombia made a deal with Escobar to put a stop to his murderous activities and gave him a safe haven in a secluded area. There, Escobar built a fortress where he and his men stayed unmolested and protected by his goons. This fortress is akin to what we have in the Bilibid prison where drug lord Sebastian continuously ran his business with the alleged protection of our high government officials. In the end of Season 1, the DEA agents were able to trace Escobar with the cooperation of the CIA, launched an attack into the fortress. But Escobar was prepared for that eventuality and escaped through a tunnel. This may not be an accurate account, but we all know that Escobar was finally killed. How, we will know it when we get to see the final episode in Season 2. Those who think drugs are not a serious menace to our society and criticize our President for his effort to put a stop to it, take time to watch this movie. Who are into drugs? People from all walks of life are. Ordinary citizens, government officials, students, the rich and the poor, media practitioners, Church members, professionals, police and military, of, you won’t miss any. The war against drugs will not succeed if we just criticize without helping. Extra Judicial Killing (EJK) is a necessary tool under certain conditions. The death toll may not necessarily be cases of EJK but could be a cleansing process perpetuated by those who are on the take. It’s being drummed up by media for obvious reason. Let us not laugh at our President for his failure to keep his promise. Drug problem will likely be with us after Digong because some people would rather criticize than help. And when they become victims themselves, it would be too late to say anything. Thank you, my childhood friend and my classmate Tony Uy, for gifting me with this USB.