DUTERTE: MAMAMATAY TAO
“…pagka lumaban, patayin ninyo..” are his strong words that most of us saw as a green light for violence. However, legally, his administration never issued an order allowing extrajudicial killings.
Some would say that Tatay Digs’ words can kill and that his rhetoric emboldened rogue police officers, leading to abuse and vigilante-style killings. Some of them used this to steer their motives. But the question is, were the law enforcers mandated to kill? Legally, no. They are mandated to arrest and not execute. However, in actuality, many police officers reported fought-back (nanlaban) cases, which makes the distinction between justified self-defense and excessive force blurry until now.
As an OSH Physician who advocates health and safety, it’s common knowledge that self-defense cases are only justifiable based on Art 11 Par 1 of the RPC only if:
1. There was unlawful aggression (the suspect posed an imminent threat and danger to someone’s life)
2. The force used was necessary and reasonable
3. The person claiming self-defense did not provoke the attack.
Justice should be based on facts, not politics. We must hold individuals accountable for crimes instead of assuming blanket guilt. In self-defense cases, we must look at each situation, ensuring that true criminals face justice while protecting the innocent from wrongful accusations, as in Kian Delos Santos’ case, whom the police officers are now convicted.
Despite criticisms, Tatay Digs’ leadership style (palamura, blunt and unfiltered) worked for the majority because they felt he was real—not just another scripted politician. We felt like we were his own children, eating the same meals and living in the same household. Love him or hate him, his presidency left an undeniable impact on Philippine politics, and will never cease to do so.
📸: GMA Public Affairs