EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Majority of Filipinos believe that there are Extrajudicial Killings (EJKs) happening in the
Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Extrajudicial killing is defined as a deliberated killing not
authorized by a previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all the
judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples. This issue has
been happening since the start of the Duterte Administration. The latest estimates of the number
of deaths related to the drug war run as high as 8,000, based on figures released by the police
and independent counts by human rights groups and media organizations. Our group objects
with this widespread issue because as Catholic students, we strongly believe that every human
being deserves a fair treatment through the normal judicial system especially as a citizen's
entitlement.
"We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why
did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous." (1 John 3:12)
People are being murdered these days because of particular reasons, mostly because they do not
care for another person's welfare. Like the verse aforementioned, Cain killed his brother Abel
because of his envy for him. Most of the ones in authority either ordered it or killed many citizens
of our country because of the following reasons: conspiracies, framing the victims with false
accusations, putting false evidences in the crime scene, grudge against the victim to name a few,
just like what happened in the case of Kian de los Santos. They forgot the morality every human
must have. Thus, the government's campaign created a serious conflict between the
administration's ways and the teachings of the Church, which resulted to the Church not
remaining silent regarding this matter. Furthermore, our group strongly believes that every
human being has the right to undergo the process of fair treatment and trial when he/she has
committed a crime. To add to that, he/she must face the consequences of his actions by being
kept in prison for a certain duration and not to face instant death during their encounter with the
policemen. Lastly, our group thinks that EJK is unjust. As stated above, the number of deaths
regarding EJK are alarmingly high with an estimation of 8,000 of which most of the people who
died are poor. In our opinion, those who are in authority abuse their power to meet their own
need and satisfaction. Justice is what the victim's family is asking for, and justice is what they
must have.
As aware students and concerned citizens of the Philippines, we do not want to tolerate
this kind of abominable issue in our country and we encourage our fellow Filipinos to do the
same. If this is how they implement peace and order for us just to be disciplined, then this is not
the peace we are aiming for. Extrajudicial Killing is not just a social issue. It is the harsh reality
that our country is facing and will continue to do so unless new protocols are implemented. As
the piece Desiderata says, "Speak your truth quietly and clearly. And listen to others. Even the
dull and ignorant, they too have their stories."
Citation:

Sinaltrainal v. Coca-Cola Co., 578 F.3d

1252(11th Cir. Fla. 2009). Extrajudicial Killing Law and Legal Definition. Retrieved from:
https://definitions.uslegal.com/e/extrajudicial-killing/

Perry, J. (2017). Philippines to UN: Reports on Extrajudicial Killing Based on 'Alternative Facts'.
Retrieved from: https://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/09/asia/philippines-war-on-drugs-
alternative-facts/index.html