SOUL AND HEART
The Soul
TOO MUCH FOR THE INNOCENTS
By: Claudette Talavera
Killing the innocents is a top controversy in our country today. The continuous reports of deaths and killings are all over our newspapers, televisions, and radios. One of the famous names is Kian Loyd delos Santos, a 17-year-old boy who has been killed due to a drug operation, according to the police but many are not convinced.
The Senate is already investigating about this matter that became an eye opener not only for the teenagers but also for the whole country. We want a drug operation to convey a good result through a good process. We all wanted a better nation so we do the drug operation as President Rodrigo Duterte leads this but not in this misleading way of process.
As of today, there are names that has been reported killed by the policemen as they do the drug operation and always saying the term ‘nanlaban’ so they just did the bloody shot of gun. In the case of Kian, experts did a drug test and other tests if Kian is really a drug user but the results is the opposite of what the police are saying. A teenager, an innocent, that policemen is believing and assuming a drug user and been killed by them is not a human act and should not be tolerate in this country.
How is it possible for them to kill an innocent if they are the one who should be killed because of the lives they’ve lost? Imagine, according to the news reported since the past few weeks, the Caloocan police are the one who killed Kian and other names been reported. We are individuals respecting laws, obeying these and trust the authority but we are blinded by them who are also the one leading this misleading country of ours. We all notice this and remains doing nothing before, but what now? We should not let this pass.
This is not a country we hoped for, a country we want to live, and a country we are fighting for. This is a country of killers, a country of crimes, a country of fear, and a country of evil and we do not want these names for our country. We want a conviction of power in leading, power of peace, and a country with power of unity of all Filipinos making a nation pure of love and happiness.
We, as a follower of our leaders, we should not just follow them because they have the power but also, we need unity to protect our dignity as a nation and not to be called a country of reigning blood or such. We must give enough attention of what is happening today, justice is what we are shouting for, especially for Kian’s case as he died because of assumptions and for those people who had been killed for the same case that do not prioritize of our country. Enlighten our minds and start our action through a proper process of doing such.
LIVE FOR CHANCES
By: Claudette Talavera
Overseas Filipino Worker Ejah bin Jaafar found guilty of murder and also one of the 88 Filipinos who are on death row worldwide. The Malaysian authorities postponed the schedule of his execution on Friday. Jaafar was condemned for killing Haajan Jaiman, a fellow Filipino on 2006. He was found guilty by the Sandakan High Court in September 2006 and was meted the capital punishment in 2009. Now a death sentence has been postponed yet the embassy has making appeals if they should spare the life of Jaafar and commute his sentence.
Criminals should be condemned but not of automatically punished by death. We are humans not Gods, we live for chances, not perfection, we do mistakes but in times, we deserve to be forgiven. As of the case of Jaafar, although he killed and lost a life, there should always be a process on how they should acquire an equal punishment for him. A crime will always be a crime, and a way of doing such matters. It is your doings so, what do you expect? Killing is a worst thing you can do while living but having a death penalty can also be.
You can be forgiven if you really deserves to. You can change yourself if that is really what you want. We are all humans that can sometimes do behind our limitations but a life is a blessing so if you lost one, why would you also make loss of your own? Considering the fact that you killed someone because there is nothing else to be done unless he or she is the one will kill you. Maybe, unintentionally done because there is no other options ‘cause if not, maybe your life is the one at risk.
Sometimes, the government cannot see the real fact behind everyone’s statement in the court. Real humans give importance of life yet their life is more important than anyone else’s. For me, death penalty will never be an option. Life is significant, the case you did is horrible? That doesn’t mean life will also be the compensation of what you did. People will get mad at you, will not trust you anymore but make them see the worth you are giving off them and power of rebuilding their trusts with pure sincerity.
Does it make sense that if life is the payment for your actions, crimes will be lessen? Maybe, but the one responsible of that matter is the government who applied it and showing his/countrymen the actions of a bloody way of living other than giving them a chance to live in a different direction. Everyone can be afraid to die, everyone can make a difference if we just let them be. If there’s a goodness in everyone’s heart death is not an option. If we are all one showing good and a human act of living, nobody is living with grieve and hatred and can be the fruit for these kinds of penalties.
Treat people well so they will do the same. Show them what they really deserve and act as a human not an animal. Be the person who will make our country less dramatic and less bloody as it is today. Death penalty should not be ruled nor prevailed. Let the person decides the goodness he/she will make and make him/her speak so every one can know his/her side. If we do things against the law, we can mislead our life but not the life we deserve to take care of from above. Life is important as important as everyone is to build a better nation especially here in the Philippines.
WHAT IS OURS IS OURS!
By: Claudette Talavera
The issue of ownership of the West Philippine Sea made a conflict between China and the Philippines in not yet totally done as the occurrence of the Chinese ships near Pag-asa island, which is occupied by a few hundred Filipino soldiers and civilians, Rep. Gary Alejano of party-list group Magdalo said, has seen in public outrage and cast doubt to China again. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) exhibited satellite images from the American think tank they believed are Chinese fishing near Pag-asa island, part of Kalayaan town in Palawan that is home to a military detachment and a village.
We might be puzzled about this because maybe we just know that it is done due to peace talks President Rodrigo Duterte did with the companion of China. But recently, last August 13, 2017, there is a presence of the said ships wandering in the ocean of Pag-asa island within the West Philippine Sea. There must be still a motive of examining the area for possession of China in the West Philippine Sea. It has been called West ‘Philippine’ Sea with our country on the name but still, they are questioning it’s area due to some limitations but exactly it is, this treasure is ours.
They cannot help it but to own it even though how it takes. But as our president talked to them, I did not know that they are still giving a motive of not accepting the fact that we own it and still they are trying to snatch it from ours. They believe that they own the area because of the oil it gives for the agricultural gain of the country and the environmental species it contains that the West Philippine Sea has.
But, what is their main purpose of showing on our territory? Is it because they have a plan to make it theirs? It is possible because of the benefits it may give to a country it owns. They cannot just drop it and just give it to ours because they do have a beliefs that what is theirs is theirs and they can fight for it. It is highly suspicious and threatening, considering that China says one thing in public and does another on the ground.
Alejano urged the Duterte administration to take his information seriously “and call the attention of China to order their ships away from Pag-asa Island and file appropriate diplomatic protest against China.” I agree to this because it is ours and our territory that helps our national growth from many aspects of living. Make ways to discover their intentions of showing in our territory without us, knowing they will be there, observing. This is also one of the biggest issue that we should focus on, study their occurrence and talk with sincere and gentle way to lose this assumption.
The Heart
Comeback is Real
By: Kathlyn Silva
After the conflict in West Philippines Sea between China and Philippines, the presence of Chinese ships near Pag-asa island has sparked public outrage and cast doubt to China again.
Last August 13,2017,the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) showed satellite images taken by an American think tank they believed are chinese fishing near Pag-asa island, part of Kalayaan town in Palawan that is home to a military detachment and a village.
"The fishing vessels are all located between 1 and 5 nautical miles from Thitu (Pag-asa island), while the nearest military/law enforcement ship is about 3.6 nautical miles from the island. The ships are between 9 and 14.25 nautical miles from Chinese-occupied Subi Reef to the southwest," AMTI said.
In the saltelite images, it is seen that there are 9 chinese fishing vessels and 2 navy ships, at least 2 of the ships appeared to be fishing with nets in the water.
The think-tank suspects that the "sudden and provocative" appearance of China have relation to the rehabilitation of the island's air strip.
On the other hand, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano critics the presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa island, saying China is not an enemy of the Philippines.
“Let me ask this: how many times have you asked me, bakit maraming American ship dun? You’ve never asked me that. Why? Because ang tingin ninyo, kaalyado natin ang US, kalaban natin ang China,” he told reporters.
According to AMTI, It is difficult to determine if the said ships have relation to China’s maritime militia. However, For Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, this issue regarding a “suspicious” convergence of Chinese boats north of Pag-asa island is a threat to Philippine interest.
Military spokesman Brigadier Gen. Restituto Padilla quoted: "We will work to clarify all of these things and there is a mechanism that is built-in in our current relationship, which is called the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism that has already been initiated before."
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said they are already addressing the issue of the presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa island and why China are appearing again in the West Philippine Sea.
Living again in curiosity, The China’s presence has questioned by many. Perhaps everyone seeks for their intention, looking forward to their next steps. For the Filipinos, The only thing that matters is the safety and protection of everyone and the nation.
War on Drugs: Behind Kian’s Death
By: Kathlyn Silva
“Totoy makinig ka, wag kang magpa-gabi.Baka mapagkamalan ka’t humandusay diyan sa tabi”—Tatsulok by Bamboo
It was late night. The moon cast a pale light over the basketball court. Begging for mercy, They blindfolded him, shirt was covered to his head as they dragged him down.The gunfire crackled around Barangay 160 as Kian Delos Santos was shot by the three alleged policemen, witnessed by a 13 year-old girl.
“No,no” These are the words that came from the mouth of a 17 year-old Kian Delos Santos when three men in civilian clothes seized him as he was on his way home in Barangay 160 in Caloocan City on the night of August 16,2017.
According to the three men who turned out to be Caloocan police officers, Kian was a drug runner as witnessed by one of his drugs buyer. As part of one time,big time operation, they were only forced to gunned Kian down when he fought back, saying he fired the first shot.
On the affidavit of one of the witnesses of Kian’s death, she saw the cops and Lubiras make their way toward Delos Santos' house around 8 pm. Without any hesistant, The two cops pointed their gun at Kian’s two siblings, asking where is Kian.
"Walang gagalaw. Walang gagalaw. Itaas 'nyo mga kamay 'nyo ," the witness said.
After the cops left the house, Nonong, who claimed Kian who delivered shabu to him over three months, suddenly pointed Kian, saying he’s the one who gave him drugs.
The cops frisked Kian, they raised his shirt but found nothing. A few moment later, one of the cops who’s in sleeveless top found believed a shabu but Kian denied and said he know nothing.
“Tumanggi si Kian, 'Ayoko po, ayoko po!' Nagalit 'yung mga lalaki kay Kian. Biglang sinampal si Kian, kaliwa't-kanan. Sinuntok siya at pagkasuntok, sinikmuraan ng dalawang beses” the witness stated.
The cops handed Kian a gun wrapped in a towel, but Kian refused to accept the gun, begging to let him go as they dragged him down the basketball court.
"Bigla nilang piniringan sa mata si Kian. Pinayuko si Kian at tinaas ang t-shirt niya para takpan ang ulo. Kinaladkad nila si Kian papuntang basketball court,” The witness emphasized.
The witness also said that in every operation, the cops would always instructed residents to enter their house, which is a scene that is usual for them.
“Sir huwag po! Huwag po!” the boy shouted who believed was Kian.
At first, they were just talking to Kian, then they pushed him and fell to the groun
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Death Penalty: Prison of Hope
By: Kathlyn Silva
There’s nothing more painful than grieving someone who’s still living. Day by day,The hope kills every single piece of the family of an OFW Ejah bin Jaafar who was found guilty of murder and one of the 88 Filipinos who are on death row worldwide.
It was a relieved for the family of Ejah bin Jaafar, a Filipino convicted of murder in Sabah in 2006,as the Malaysian authorities postponed the scheduled of his execution on Friday.
Jaafar was convicted for killing Haajan Jaiman, a fellow Filipino 2006. He was found guilty by the Sandakan High Court in September 2006 and was meted the capital punishment in 2009.
Following a last-minute appeal from the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, The execution of Ejah Bin Jaafar was ordered postponed by Sabah Governor Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin.
“We would like to thank the Governor of Sabah for responding to the repeated appeals of the Philippine Government on behalf of the family of Mr. Jaafar,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement.
The Philippine Embassy then negotiated with the Malaysia’s government to refer Jaafar’s case back to the Sabah Pardons Board for review which was approved by the Sabah Governor.
According to the Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose, the embassy has been making appeals since 2015 for Malaysian authorities to spare the life of Jaafar and commute his sentence.
“The decision of the board will be final and executory without any further possibility of appeal,” the Department of foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
The Sabah Pardons Board headed by its Governor is schedule to meet in December to review the case of Jaafar and decide whether to reduce the sentence to life imprisonment or proceed with the execution.
The DFA said that prison authorities had already been informed of the Governor’s decisision and has extended legal assistance in all stages of the trial.
“Embassy left no stone unturned to provide assistance to Jaafar, including regular prison visits,” the agency said.
The family of Jaafar can still visits him through assistance of the DFA while his case is under investigation.
Death penalty remains part of Malaysia’s rule of law landscape, It is not a question of whether he deserved to die, but rather whether he needed to. For the family of Jaafar, they’re still hoping for a positive result and a good start again.
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