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Ben Contreras

IF only a few names from Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City came out from the list of those involved in drugs (and drug users), then it’s either the list is incomplete or outdated or our intelligence network is weak (deliberate or not) or “naay nabayaran.”

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The drug problem in the city is serious but it has not been addressed or cannot be addressed because of the involvement of men who are supposed to run after users and pushers.

They know who the users and pushers are–from the children of rich families and politicians or just about anyone in the neigborhoods, including a few from media. But because money is too attractive and easy, they would rather turn a blind eye and enjoy the luxury dirty money offers and go on with their lives.

The serious drive of the Duterte administration is posing serious problems for rehabilitation facilities. When those who already “surrendered” now run to thousands, expect a huge amount of government funds to be used for this purpose.

But there is a way for government to save money for it. Confiscate ill-acquired assets especially those derived from drugs and use it for rehabilitation purposes.

It’s been asked what to do with those who “surrendered.” Well, we can always use them to clean up our streets, waterways, bridges and whatever that needs cleaning up.

A few years back, a relative complained about their neighbor whose house she alleged was being used for pot sessions. People that frequented the house behaved suspiciously. I reported it to PDEA. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the activities continued.

Those who are not victims of drugelated crimes, those who have no one in the family into drugs can never truly appreciate what our President is doing.

I would like to quote Environment Secretary Gina Lopez when she said, “It is much better to live according to principles than according to rules because situations in life change.”

Yes, we have rules and we have laws. But sometimes, we have to stick to our principles on what is best for the many by bending the laws.

Church leaders have been divided on this issue of extrajudicial killings. It’s not surprising really. There will always be pros and cons on the issue. The Church has also proven itself to be as divisive as ever.

The amount of propaganda against it has not deterred our President to continue. Now that raising EJK has been a failure, a new pattern is being resorted to. And that is comparing what the poor has been subjected to vis-a-vis the rich and powerful, rousing sentiments that this drive is anti-poor.

Although I am tempted to agree with this observation especially when one mayor was given preferential treatment and men in uniform with soft gloves, it nevertheless exposed them to their own thirst for blood. Only this time, they’re thirst for royal blood.

Lopez is correct. Situations in life does change. We say one thing as an observers and do another as victims.

Criticisms will continue, from moralists to paid propagandists. But at the end of the day when we can move freely without fear of being harassed or attacked by drug users, then we can all sit by and sigh, “Tama pala si Digong.”

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