SurveilWhat’s going on?

Last Monday, my daughter Mini came home a bit agitated. She related her worries about the turn of events in our country, asking repeatedly “What’s going on, Mom? What’s your advice?” That stumped me. I merely said that it’s early days yet, that we should wait but be vigilant.

That night, it was my turn to be agitated, pressured by Mini’s concerns and a rush of memories about the Martial Law days: curfews, bombings and hamletting of Muslim communities, fear of the military, friends disappearing forever or going to the hills, the demise of democracy. Slogans came back to me, such as “Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan.”

I had to give a talk to the board of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association the next day. The UPAA board is initiating the search for the 2017 distinguished alumni.

I had intended to deliver a funny speech.

One of my favorite American stand-up comedians, George Carlin, once said: “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.” We UP students are educated to question the status quo and not become part of an unthinking horde. Troublemakers we are. By troublemakers, I mean people are not afraid to rock the boat for the good of all. But I changed my mind and prepared a more serious one, a reflection on the events of the last 2 months and the commemoration of the imposition of Martial Law today. Let me share my reflections.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte (PRRD), an unconventional political leader who minces no words as he focuses on fulfilling his promise to eradicate the plague that is drug trafficking, has upset our comfortable world. However, an overwhelming majority of Filipinos support his actions.

On human rights, PRRD believes that the rights of peaceful law-abiding citizens trump the rights of criminals, particularly drug pushers and rapists. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights, however, states that all individuals (even criminals) have inalienable rights.

However, most of my fellow Muslims in Mindanao agree with PRRD. In our conflict-affected communities, justice has failed and “rido” is the recourse. Rido or clan wars happen to right a wrong done to a member of the clan. In Muslim Mindanao, rido has spiraled out of control.

Meanwhile, the United States government, the United Nations, and the European Union have weighed in to condemn the upsurge of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines. PRRD has criticized the leaders of these powerful institutions, with his favorite cuss words. Again, majority of Filipinos support him, seeing a David fighting Goliaths.

In the Senate, Senator Leila de Lima was ousted as chair of the Justice Committee. She claims that this is a political move to stop her expose linking the President with the so-called Davao Death Squad that, according to the news, has killed over 1,400 from 1998 to the 2015 and is now seemingly replicated on a national level. In Congress, jailed drug lord Herbert Colangco and other inmates testified about the alleged drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison. Colangco implicated then Justice Secretary de Lima in payoffs to allow him and other high profile inmates to lead a luxurious life and continue to conduct their nefarious businesses.

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, an ally of PRRD, is free after the Supreme Court dismissed the plunder charges against her last July. Elected Congresswoman while incarcerated, she went straight from detention to become Deputy Speaker. Recently, the Sandigan Bayan cleared her of the graft charges associated with the NBN-ZTE scandal. Who is in jail? The whistle-blower Jun Lozada.

On another front, Martial Law victims and human rights activists are protesting the burial of former President Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which PRRD will allow. The Official Gazette of the Office of the President carried a piece on Marcos’s birthday (Sept. 11), which was lambasted by netizens who derisively called it the “Superficial Gazette.” The Gazette was accused of historical revisionism for saying that Marcos stepped down to avoid bloodshed instead of being ousted by People Power. The statement has since been removed.

In only 2 months, several of the key actions of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, particularly on corruption, have been overturned. What’s going on?

On the other hand, there are a lot of claims that the allegations against PRRD are part of a plot to remove him from office and install Vice-President Leni Robredo to ensure the return to power of the Liberal Party. (The Truly Honorable Leni debunked the possibility). There are rumors that the United States may be involved, concerned about PRRD’s anti-American and pro-Chinese statements. Some say that we are in the midst of a struggle between superpowers.

What is going on?

Now, more than ever, is the time for thoughtful men and women to intervene and give their two centavos worth.

I am glad that the UP Diliman University Council came out with a statement of discerning men and women, stressing the role of UP “as the public critic of any administration, voicing its support or opposition when necessary in pursuit of peace, justice, democracy, and prosperity for all Filipinos.” In other words, enlightened troublemakers of the best kind.

The Council expressed “grave concern over certain policies and practices adopted by President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration, particularly with regard to his war on drugs, human rights, and his peace and order strategies.”

But it also lauded key initiatives deserving of the public’s support, to include his pro-poor policy statements, his promise to put Filipino interests first in our foreign relations, his moves to resume peace talks and to grant amnesty to political prisoners, his prioritizing of health and education, his plans for more development outside of Manila and its environs, and his call for government officials to practice simple living. (I am a Bangsamoro of Mindanao, and — together with majority of Mindanaoans — am thankful that finally we will get our fair share of attention and support.)

As the UPAA selects the University’s distinguished alumni, the needs of our community — for peace and stability, escape from poverty, human security, personal liberties, good governance, an accountable government — are bannered every day by media. These are constant reminders that we, Iskolar ng Bayan, are responsible to lend a hand and help shape a better world that we all want to live in, that we want our children to live in. The Philippines and the world need thoughtful men and women to lend a hand and ensure that our world is not only stable but will enjoy the civil liberties, freedom, and equality that we have all fought for. UP has always cultivated this kind of men and women, developing in us a sense of social responsibility even as it honed our minds for academic excellence.

Abraham Lincoln once said: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Gandhi echoed that with his famous quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

This year, I am sure that the UPAA will search high and low for our fellow alumni who have rocked the boat, broken the mold, crashed thru the glass ceiling, lit a candle in the dark in order to change the world for the good of all.

Our nation needs inspiration. Our country requires our vigilance. Our government needs our participation and support. May the 2017 distinguished alumni be all troublemakers, in the best UP Tradition!

Amina Rasul is a democracy, peace and human rights advocate, president of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy.