In the Philippines, it is now somewhat “dangerous” to be unknowingly associated with someone who is into illegal drugs. To be safe, refrain from being with or having a picture with people you don’t really know, including high profile personalities like mayors, councilors, congressmen, and even generals and showbiz celebrities who could eventually be named or accused as involved in illegal drugs.
We now have a new adage, “Hear no people assumed to be involved in illegal drugs, see no people assumed to be involved in illegal drugs, and speak no people assumed to be involved in illegal drugs!” Otherwise, you’ll might end up as a “collateral damage”!
The bad side of being killed nowadays is that, majority of the Filipinos, specially those avidly supporting the new president, will immediately judge that you’re into illegal drugs even though you are not! We have a new justice system, it is called “presumption of guilt: guilty until proven innocent”!
If the crime statistics are true, we are living in extra-ordinary times. Extra-ordinary circumstances demand extra-ordinary actions. In principle “guilty until proven innocent” is never good, but for practical considerations, in order to deal adequately with an emergency, we have to discard civilized niceties to save a burning house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your input, Marlon. It sometimes makes sense to discard civilized niceties specially if there’s a war or rebellion. But in my opinion, civilized niceties are one of those things that separate us from animals and stone age men. Without these, societu will go insane.
LikeLike
So if you or someone in your family is erroneously caught up in this, are YOU happy to forgo YOUR presumption of innocence?
And justice and the process of law should never be seen as a mere ‘nicety?’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice scenario philip. That’s why I’m still in favor with keeping the rule of law.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The vista afforded to a man at the top of the mountain is very different from the point of view of the man on level ground. Boy am I glad I am not president.
LikeLike
The Philippies is now tagged as ” rogue nation” with a rogue /thug president. It’s embarrassing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s sad… 😦
LikeLike
At my Dad’s and sister’s office, they’ve been asked about what’s going on there, believe it or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What’s their answer?
LikeLike
wow…………that’s horrible. I guess the Fourth monkey (Do no Evil) definitely doesn’t get a mention then
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all have become “subjective”… It’s either you support the killings of suspected drug users or you will be branded as a drug user yourself. Sad but it is where we are now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
exactly !
LikeLiked by 1 person
“presumption of guilt: guilty until proven innocent” <—- That's seriously bad policy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes… That’s it!
LikeLike