In the Philippines, out of a population of about 110 million, there are 20 million good, kind but impoverished Filipinos struggling to survive poverty, according to government statistics.
This, in a relatively wealthy but unequal nation. Respect for human rights and citizen’s wellbeing has diminished. This is where the death squads of the brutal “war on drugs” have extrajudicially killed an estimated 30,000 people without a single mass demonstration against it. The nation stayed silent and let it happen. Only a few brave bishops and priests took a stand to speak against the killings.
Small protests have been met with the imprisonment and execution of numerous innocent human rights and environmental advocates by state actors who act with impunity. According to Global Witness, 281 environmental defenders have been killed since 2012. These brave Filipinos have allegedly been murdered by rogue military commands and militia mercenaries in Mindanao, who are reportedly paid by mining and logging corporations. Are they beyond the command of the Philippine military generals?
The defence and respect for the fundamental human rights of citizens and the promotion of those rights and dignity, equality and prosperity is the duty and purpose of the government.
The credibility of an administration and its legitimacy to govern depends on its commitment and success in protecting and defending rights. When it allows those rights to be violated, whether by design or neglect, and allows inequality and poverty to be inflicted on a large portion of society, the government fails. It falls into disgrace, can be criticized, and has lost its mandate to govern.
This is where the death squads of the brutal “war on drugs” have extrajudicially killed an estimated 30,000 people without a single mass demonstration against it. The nation stayed silent and let it happen. Only a few brave bishops and priests took a stand to speak against the killings
Such a failed state is shunned on the international stage. The worst pain a nation can suffer is to be ostracised from the human family of nations for allowing violations of human rights.
The Philippines holds the shameful title of being the third most dangerous nation for environmentalists and journalists. Media workers are on the frontline, with 199 having been killed since 1986. Additionally, a painful truth is that seven million Filipino children experience sexual abuse every year, according to UNICEF. This is just the tip of the iceberg of hidden child abuse. The nation is also named as the hub of online child sexual abuse.
This truth was recently presented to an emotionally shocked Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine president. Law enforcement is unable to stop it. The justice system needs urgent reform.
The root cause of social unrest is social injustice. The rich elite comprise only 0.1 per cent of the population but own about 46 per cent of the national wealth. They are growing richer yet the poor are even poorer.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Many true Filipinos protest this inequality and claim family dynasties control the government and favour their wealthy friends and relatives in business and irresponsible large mining corporations that destroy the environment. Advocates of environmental justice and human rights are branded as subversives by the military and police, and are arrested without evidence.
As many as 281 environmental, justice and human rights advocates have been killed and these human rights violations are ignored by the powerful ruling elite
As many as 281 environmental, justice and human rights advocates have been killed and these human rights violations are ignored by the powerful ruling elite.
The wealthy elite in the Philippines expect honour, prestige, and respect from the international business and political community, but they are living in a fantasy world. Instead, they are likely to be despised for allowing gross human rights violations and the killing of brave Filipinos who are seeking justice for indigenous peoples.
Joseph Biden, the president of the United States and a Catholic, placed the defence of human rights at the centre of his administration. His secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said, “The United States is committed to a world in which human rights are protected, their defenders are celebrated, and those who commit human rights abuses are held accountable…” Yet, it is the United States that is providing the weapons and bullets to the Philippine Army to kill their own citizens, their own youth, and their own people who are defending the last of the forests and the rights of the poor and marginalised.
These are the very people that the military swore to defend.
The United States stated in June 2023 that the Biden administration would sell US$2.5 million worth of military weapons to the Philippines. The American military contractors of the arms industry will benefit and become donors to and support Biden’s reelection. Weapons and bombs for Ukraine and Israel will win more friends.
The United States should act to pressure the Philippine military to stop the killings and murders of human rights defenders using American-supplied weapons. That is a violation of US law if it is shown that the weapons are used to kill civilians
It is certain that the Philippines would borrow money from US banks to pay for arms sales, effectively placing the country under the control of the United States. This could lead to the Philippines being held in debt bondage, potentially influencing its rulers, politicians, and business elites to act in the interests of the United States. Additionally, it may allow the US military to maintain its presence in nine or more Philippine bases.
The United States should act to pressure the Philippine military to stop the killings and murders of human rights defenders using American-supplied weapons. That is a violation of US law if it is shown that the weapons are used to kill civilians. More weapons cannot be supplied or sold to the nation violating human rights.
Neither the United States military nor Joe Biden or the Philippine generals want to be associated with the abuse and violations of human rights by rogue Filipino troops.
We appeal to the good senior Philippine army officers of integrity with a conscience, who believe in moral values to use their command-and-control authority to stop the killings.
You are answerable to God, your country and your children not to allow the killings of young advocates. If there are suspects of wrong-doing, bring them to a court of law, present evidence and let the judge decide. Justice and the rule of law must prevail.
Father Shay Cullen
www.preda.org
