STUDENT GROUPS expressed alarm over the recent spate of killings associated with the new policies by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. This comes at the heels of a statement released by Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Ramon Villarin, SJ.

Villarin released the statement on July 29, in the wake of the passing of alumnus and Ateneo de Manila high school teacher Emmanuel Pavia.

“The death of anyone regardless of virtue cannot but diminish us, and any society or culture that encourages and multiplies death cheapens life for everyone,” he said.

Villarin called on members of the Ateneo community to “promote reverence for life, respect for human rights, and restorative justice” and “watch over the enforcement of equality before the law, due process, and mandated judicial processes in instances of criminal arrest,” among others.

In addition, he also called for opposition against “the potential reinstatement of capital punishment and the lowering of the age of criminal liability,” a major plank of the Duterte administration. In July, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Duterte ally Pantaleon Alvarez had earlier filed bills seeking the restoration of the death penalty for heinous crimes and the lowering of the age of responsibility from 15 to 9.

However, Villarin also recognized the current government’s efforts to “rid our communities of this drug menace and to institute measures that protect persons and property from such violence.”

In spite of these efforts, Villarin said that the new administration would not be able to achieve “authentic social change and personal transformation” with “fear as primary motivation or retribution as auxiliary deterrent.”

“If real change is to happen, it can only come when we hold before us the value and sanctity of every person’s life,” he said.

Human rights

Various organizations of the Ateneo expressed support for Villarin’s positions and released stands mirroring the Ateneo President’s words.

In a statement released August 12, AIESEC AdMU reiterated its commitment in “protecting the inalienable, universal human rights of every individual, particularly the right for a fair and just trial in due process under the justice system.”

Moreover, the statement also served to “condemn and stand against any measure utilized by an organization of government in violating such rights and disregarding the dignity of human life.”

According to AIESEC AdMU Local Committee Vice President for Public Relations & Strategic Initiatives Paolo Palanca, the statement was in conjunction with the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) of the United Nations Development Program, particularly the 16th SGD, pertaining to peace, justice, and strong institutions. AIESEC is a major partner of the United Nations.

Palanca said that the extrajudicial killings presented a grave threat to the human rights of the Filipino people.

“The issue of the Extra Judicial Killings, with the estimated death toll going past 500 individuals that have lost their lives, is not only a present issue, but also a pressing one,” he said.

He said that AIESEC AdMU remained committed to due process and the respect for the law, and would continue to fight for the protection of these rights.

“As the youth, we are responsible for the future of organizations, industries, societies, and communities across the globe. It is through the collective collaboration of individual efforts that will enable us to shape the world as we want it,” he said.

Drug problem

Prior to the release of Villarin’s statement, The Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy (USAD) AdMU also released a stand on July 17 regarding the administration’s methods in fighting the drug trade.

The party cautioned against “vigilante killings” perpetrated under the blind eye of the national government.

“Hindi lamang ang estado ang may hawak ng armas, may kakayahan na rin pati mga bihilante at tulisan na magtakda kung ano ang batas, magbigay-hukom, at maghari-harian sa sari-sarili nilang lugar (It is not only the State that has access to arms and weaponry. Vigilantes and bandits have the capability of laying down the law, to pass judgment, and act as kings in their own territories.)” the party said.

In addition, USAD called for an examination of “oppressive structures” that perpetuate the drug problem. According to their statement, unless there is a change in the systems that spark the discourses surrounding violence, there will be no authentic change and violence will continue across the country.

In a separate interview with The GUIDON, USAD Premier Lanz Espacio said that the party opposes what it perceives to be a “dichotomization” of the drug issue.

“We’ve noticed, as a party, that within campus, and with regards to the broader discourse on the issue is that it’s always focused on arguing that…those who are pro-extrajudicial killings are against human rights. I think that’s a very dangerous proposition,” he said. “It dichotomizes the issue, as with many other issues, to pro- or anti-camps.”

Espacio said that what needed to be done was to “look at the broader picture.”

“What our party believes in is to look at the oppressive structures that made it possible for these incidents to happen anyway, and to look at the frustrations of the majority,” he said. “Essentially, [the people are] frustrated with the system that has always, in every way, neglected or denied them of the very right to life.”

Atenean duty

Espacio criticized the statement released by Villarin, and said that it does not call on Ateneans to reflect on their current situation in the national context.

“Where has the Atenean been? The Ateneans have been through Martial Law; we’ve been active in going against the Marcos regime, but post-EDSA, where has the Atenean been?” he said.

He said that the Ateneo needs to engage more in the discourse, and obtain a wider understanding of the issues surrounding the extrajudicial killings.

“I’m very frustrated with the current lack of discourse. For us, it’s not only intrinsically important, it’s also instrumentally important in the sense that it allows us to understand why these things are happening,” he said.

Palanca echoed Espacio’s statement and said that Ateneans have an obligation to participate in the discussions on human rights.

“There may always be someone else who can speak up or speak out about the issue, but every intelligent opinion and educated mind added to the conversation raises the quality of the discourse and improves the discussions with their own personal insights and perspectives,” he said.

Palanca called on Ateneans to be brave, and not to waver in the fight for social justice.

“Be courageous and speak your mind, do not sit idly by observing when you can act on the situation today, to improve the situation tomorrow,” he said.

As of press time, the Senate Committee on Justice and Human rights, led by Senator Leila de Lima is investigating cases of supposed extrajudicial killings under the watch of Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa.