Unwinnable war

NOTWITHSTANDING the collateral damage in injuries and deaths, the uphill war on the drug menace and widespread addiction must continue for the sake of future generations.

The brutal campaign is generally well supported though the manner and methodology are controversial and increasingly unpopular. Thus, out of pique and frustration, President Rodrigo Duterte has arbitrarily and temporarily assigned the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as the lead agency to combat drug trafficking to appease a critical public.

However, the PDEA is not only undermanned and underfunded; it also has a past history of inefficiency and corruption which should be of serious concern.

Sooner or later, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte will have to recall and re-insert other law enforcement agencies, the Armed Forces, and Philippine National Police (PNP) to reinforce PDEA in the cruel and unforgiving war on drugs.

In Marawi City, the ‘battle” has been won against the Maute-ISIS insurrection, but the rebellion will persist until lasting peace is forged and economic growth is achieved.

Thus, these two episodes have been a pyrrhic victory for President Rodrigo Duterte though there have been many changes and achievements and many more promises to keep.

On the other hand, as a Cabinet spokesman said, the Chief Executive, “Du30 will listen to all the views and opinions of his cabinet members, but at the end of the day, the President will follow his own independent decision, and do what he thinks is right and patriotic.” Consequently, President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte is frequently construed as arbitrary and authoritarian.

In his impromptu outbursts and obscene diatribes, President Duterte threatens to declare martial law nationwide and a

“When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.” — Thomas Jefferson

“revolutionary government” without sincerity and seriousness, if anarchy erupts, which is unlikely under current circumstances.

What are the consequences of this unpredictable and bizarre behavior of President Rodrigo Duterte?

Inevitably, the unpresidential tirades of the president will usher in a climate of fear, uncertainty, hesitation, opposition, and destabilization which will slow down the economic momentum and discourage fixed private foreign investments and expansion plans.

Moreover, once a revolutionary government is imminent and nationwide martial law is declared, massive opposition and protests will correspondingly emerge and snowball towards civil disorder.

Historically, the “masses” have always been a fickle lot, and mass popularity can vanish with the wind which Du30 should bear in mind.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is doing well so far, why spoil it?

You be the judge.