15/03/2025
WHY ARE YOU PRIORITIZING DUE PROCESS FOR CRIMINALS OVER THEIR VICTIMS?
Editorial: Tio Moreno
Before reacting, let’s put this into perspective.
If a drug addict stabs you, sexually harasses your friend, r**es your sister, or steals from your mom, causing deep trauma or even the loss of a loved one—where is due process for the victims?
Imagine spending 14 years in school: 6 years in elementary, 4 years in high school, and 4 years in college, working hard to fulfill your dreams, only to be harassed, killed, or r***d by a drug addict in mere minutes. What kind of justice do we give to victims like this?
In 2015, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that 92% of barangays in Metro Manila were affected by drug-related issues. Nationwide, approximately 26% of barangays were influenced by drug activity, leading to rising crime rates, family breakdowns, and challenges for law enforcement.
The 2015 Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) report further highlighted drug abuse as an escalating public health crisis, with an estimated 1.8 million Filipinos actively using illegal drugs at the time.
This was the true state of the nation when Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016.
What was his solution? WAR ON DRUGS.
The 1987 Constitution guarantees due process to everyone—criminals included. This is a fundamental legal principle that gives justice to everyone no matter who they are.
However, the real questions are: What about justice for the victims? Should we uphold the due process rights of criminals at the expense of those they have harmed?
If a police officer encounters an armed and violent criminal during a legitimate operation, does he have time to say, "I have due process, don’t shoot me!"? The reality is that law enforcement officers put their lives at risk to protect society, often against individuals who have already disregarded the law.
Everyone is expected to be a law-abiding citizen. Violating the law comes with consequences.
Illegal drugs are a crime. Committing crimes under the influence of illegal drugs—such as r**e, theft, assault, or even murder—is more than just personal wrongdoing. It endangers society.
Contrary to the claim that due process was ignored, Duterte did provide avenues for drug users and pushers to reform:
1. Oplan Tokhang – A campaign encouraging drug users and dealers to surrender voluntarily and reintegrate into society.
2. Balay Silangan Reformation Centers – Government-established centers that offered education, livelihood training, and psychological support to help rehabilitate drug dependents.
3. Strengthening Rehabilitation Programs – Alongside law enforcement, efforts were made to address the root causes of drug addiction and provide alternatives to criminal lifestyles.
These programs show that Duterte’s administration did not simply resort to violence. It also focused on prevention and rehabilitation. Because of this, 1.4 million individuals surrendered for rehabilitation.
Despite these opportunities, there are still many offenders who refused to surrender and continued their illegal activities. They chose violence over submission to the law. This is why even if the law enforcements are doing legitimate police operations, some led to fatal encounters. Ito talaga yong rason.
Does this mean killing is acceptable? No. But the reality is dealing with criminals is dangerous. I agree that some rogue officers abused their power, but the Duterte administration did not turn a blind eye on them.
Numerous police officers were:
- Investigated, prosecuted, and convicted for unlawful killings and abuse of power.
- Dismissed or disciplined when found guilty of misconduct.
Duterte once said, "I am willing to live in hell as long as my people are living in paradise."
This statement carries a deeper weight now, as he faces prosecution by a foreign entity, not for personal gain or corruption, but for protecting his people from the dangers of illegal drugs and the criminals behind them.
Justice must serve the victims too.
We cannot ignore the rights of victims while fixating on the rights of criminals. Law enforcement exists to protect law-abiding citizens, not to shield those who break the law.
Aren’t criminals killing innocent people also committing crimes against humanity? Far more innocent lives have been lost at the hands of criminals than in legitimate police operations.
We truly fail as a nation when we allow criminals to operate freely, continuously victimizing the innocent—all because we insist on upholding their due process without question.
