Change Came: the killings and repercussions

Tuguegarao City’s murder toll has been increasingly significant causing an alarm to its citizens. Despite news of the incidences in the local and national publications, Tuguegarao City locals have been speculating these deaths as drug-related or act of revenge.

In most of the news published online and print (January- July of 2017) about the killings in Tuguegarao City and nearby municipalities follows a same pattern that can be derived; as victims are either have been caught with sachets of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and cash or has been related to the Philippine National Police or the government. It is clear that President Duterte’s thrust on war-on-drugs is in full force. It is clear to the citizens of Tuguegarao City that its campaign against illegal drugs is a bloody and does not choose to stoop down whoever and whatever rank you are in the status quo.

The death of Engineer Magno Balisi (June 30), Manny Amarles (January 15), and former Police Officer Heraldine Bautista (January 16), are just some of victims that causes a community hysteria amongst the residents of Tuguegarao City. Their brutal death in a broad daylight changes the lifestyle of some locals. Night life as well afternoon rush hours is shortened due to these tragedies.

Warring Campaign

At first, the war-on-drugs was a battle of the government against drug cartels and traders in the country. But in the course of the government seriously impairing the illegal trade business in the country, drug cartels fight back and eradicate suspicious low drug dealers and traders in the drug chain.

The deaths of key officials killed in Ozamis City when PNP officials serving a search warrant filled the broadcast, print and internet media. This happened after President Duterte has announced the pinning of government officials involved in drug trade. The announcement was in place and shocked the Filipino nation.

According to the Children's Legal Rights and Development Center (CLRDC), there were 31 children, under 18 years old, killed during the campaign’s July 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017 period. These deaths consist of innocent and children used in drug-trades. According to CLRDC Director Rowena Legaspi, children were not spared.

Aside from children who have been collateral damage to the campaign, media men are also victims of revenge. Larry Que- an editorial writer for Catanduanes News Now, was shot on December 19, 2016 and died the next day due to his column alleging the provincial government negligence over the existence of a methamphetamine laboratory in Catanduanes. Concurrently, Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua, P01 Vincent Tacorda and three other men faces trial on the death of the media man.

Tuguegarao City Repercussions

It is clear that the War-on-Drugs campaign has created a hysteria and lifestyle change in the lives of the Tuguegarao City people. What makes this campaign unnerving is that some of the ‘collateral damages’ and ‘revenges’ persecutes the innocent.

Tuguegarao City has visible repercussions on the recent deaths. The city’s typical night life has been bland were famous rendezvous hasn’t reached its full capacity. Driving around the city at eight in the evening may seem unfamiliar. Noticeably roads and streets are clear of people. Students from high school and college are always reminded by their parents and guardian to go home early to keep them safe. Aside from this, no one involves in the in-depth discussion of drug related deaths in public.

On July 24, Cagayan State University (CSU) has announce a new policy that will deny the admission of enrollees who will test positive in drug test. The policy is to support the government’s war on drugs. According to Father Ranhilio Aquino’s Facebook post, the implementation of the policy was based on an "established jurisprudence," citing a decision of the High Court on Social Justice Society v. Dangerous Drugs Board.

We commend the government on the positive impacts of eradicating the issues brought about by illegal drugs that pushes the city’s thrust towards attaining its progress and development. But we strongly hope for the protection of individuals vulnerable to the backlashes of the campaign. It obviously created irrelevant panic to the locals to pursue their individual growth.

The government’s war on drugs attains its objectives of eliminating drug trades and eradicating poverty. But capsizing drug cartels has been ferocious not only to their trades but putting innocent people into danger. The scale of the campaign has brought both peace of mind and terror in Tuguegarao City’s community. The elimination of drug trade has brought about changes to some individuals involve to pursue voluntary surrender and undergoing rehabilitation aimed in reducing horrific crimes. But the terror of its backlash causes overhaul of individual lifestyle.