The Call for a Strong Stand on Impunity

The spate of assassinations of local officials such as Governor Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental and Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda of Aparri, and the attempts on the lives of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Mayor Ohto Montawal of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao reflects the sorry state of peace and order in our country.

The brutality and shamelessness with which these acts were done and the apparent involvement of “uniformed personnel” call for a strong condemnation of this continually persisting culture of impunity that has corrupted Philippine society since the previous administration. Who are the masterminds behind these killings, and where do these hitmen get their high-powered weapons?

Unless these crimes are investigated, and the perpetrators are held accountable with the full force of the law, we shall continue to be dominated by political violence instead of the rule of law. It engenders public unrest, undermines our democracy, and creates a society where our young learn that violence is acceptable in dealing with conflict.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“Violence merely increases hate. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” -MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.” -PSALM 11:5