Social Media Against Western Media's Cliche Portrayal of the Philippines

Extra Judicial Killings in the Philippines and Human Rights

There is no death penalty under Philippine laws. Technically therefore, all murders and homicides committed in the country can be termed 'extra judicial', a reference which human rights advocates across the globe now use to bash the Duterte administration.

In almost 2 months of the Duterte presidency, more than 1,000 incidents of death under investigation (DUIs-murders and homicides) were recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and this immediately leads to questionable human rights censure of the Philippines leadership in its anti illegal drugs and criminality campaigns. I say questionable censure because in the first 6 months alone of 2015 under the Aquino administration, more than 7,000 murders and more than 6,000 homicide cases, or a total of more than 13,000 deaths under investigation (DUIs) were registered by the PNP, and yet, the human rights advocates never raise a voice.

Under Duterte, out of the more than 1,000 DUIs, only more than 700 deaths of criminal suspects resulted from police operations from which more than 250 cases so far were cleared by the PNP Internal Affairs as legitimate violent encounters arising from

resistance to arrests, while the rests are still under review.

Considering the above circumstances then, is it fair for human rights advocates (including news outfits and political units) around the globe to OUTRIGHT condemn the Philippines leadeship?

For sure, most of the Filipinos now believe that there is an orchestrated effort from an 'interest group' to defame the popular Philippine President and weaken his leadership for ulterior political motives. Come what may, Duterte's adversaries must not underestimate his support from the vast majority of the populace.

The Philippines At A Crossroads

Upon the election of President Duterte, the Philippines took a more independent course in foreign and domestic policies. Rather than follow the desire of some powerful interests locally and in the West, President Duterte is now directing the country truly in accordance with his pre-election platform that reeks of a very strong sense of nationalism and love of country.

This does not sit well with geopolitical agenda of the above mentioned interests, and as a result President Duterte is now besieged with concerted tirades to defame his presidency. With the  support and trust of 91%  of Filipinos, these interests are trying to weaken Duterte's popularity in order to create a space for their hidden agenda.

President duterte is deemed the strongest president the Philippines ever had since Marcos. The vast majority of Filipinos are pinning their hope on this for real change ie. political, economic, social, institutional, etc. in the Philippines. The pressures are great but with his strong political will, the fruits are starting to come-up.

The Philippines is now at a crossroads for change. On this, it is the will of the people that must prevail, so much so, that now is the most crucial time for Filipinos to show love of country and support the President. God bless the Philippines.