Journalists are not special, not by any means. We may be among the more visible professions in the frontlines but we are not more important than the rest.
This is the context in which we view the alarming words of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte:
“Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a son of a bitch."
"Most of those killed, to be frank, have done something. You won't be killed if you don't do anything wrong…That can't be just freedom of speech. The Constitution can no longer help you if you disrespect a person."
Take out the word journalist and replace it with judge, lawyer, forest guard, environment activist, politician, government official, priest, missionary. You can add to this list—and what do we have? A world of impunity.
In unleashing this torrent of words, Duterte set the tone for rule of law in the country, undermining it with his practically tacit approval of killings—as long as these are deserved. He has defined the parameters that, in his blurry scale of morality, make it okay to take away one’s life.
Instead of making us confident that justice and rule of law will prevail, the president-elect has sown anxiety and fear. He must be aware that many others belonging to different professions have fallen victim to heartless murderers.
Late last year, 2 judges were killed in succession—one from Quezon and the other from Bulacan – raising the number of judges killed anywhere from 46 up. There are no exact statistics but 44 had been documented as of 2008.
Lawyers, too, are being killed. From 2002 to 2012, in a span of 10 years, 200 lawyers and judges were murdered, according to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
Forest guards, they who protect our dwindling forests, are not spared. As of 2012, 20 have been killed and no one has been charged in majority of these cases.
Same with missionaries, environment activists, and politicians.
Rather than promote impunity, the incoming president should promote protection of fundamental rights, including security of persons.
We remind President-elect Duterte that he holds this sacred responsibility in his hands.– Rappler.com