PM Trudeau’s concern on EJK
By
NUMEROUS Filipinos have high admiration for the young Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. His movie-star look, his populist, warm, and friendly way of mingling with the hoi poloi won the hearts of Filipinos during his stay for the ASEAN Summit held in the Philippines.
* * * Above all, they appreciated his courage in bringing to the attention of the President Duterte in their one-on-one talk his deep concern on the issue of extra-judicial killings (EKJ) in the country.
* * * Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “We are concerned with human rights, we are concerned with extrajudicial killings, the need for respect for the rule of law.”
He added: “We know that talking about human rights is an essential part of a path forward, it must be done in an honest and frank way, but it has to be done. We have to talk about the high expectation we must have to protect life, to uphold the law and human rights.”
* * * “Canada is a country that always brings up human rights issues and strongly engages in line with our values anywhere in the world. Countries have accepted that and expect that even of Canada.”
The day after their talk, President Duterte remarked that what PM Traudeau said was a “personal insult” to his leadership. He further said that the minister did not know what’s happening in the country.
*** The problem with President Duterte is that when local, foreign, religious leaders and authoritative people call his attention on the issue, he puts up a stance of unyielding denial on those killings, fights back, and calls his critics with “nice” names. Remember the former president of Colombia in South America, who said that their experience of summary killings failed in his drug-torn country, offering a better remedy? President Duterte belittled his advice and called him “ignorant” and some unprintable words.
* * * President Duterte should look at criticism from a positive side. A well-meaning, constructive criticism can be helpful. Sometimes we are not aware of our faults until someone calls our attention.
It is good to see our fault or mistake early enough so we can do something to remedy it.
* * *
President Duterte has already chalked up a lot of accomplishments. But what many people cannot stomach is his handling of suspects, denying them due process. The negative image mars and eclipses the numerous achievements he has done so far. * * *
In this light, President Duterte would do well to examine his conscience and change the negative perception people have about him into a positive one.
Finally, when he leaves this world and comes face-to- face with his Creator — that is, if he believes in Him — how will he justify the summary executions of thousands of users and pushers?
* * * But all is not too late. Pres. Duterte can still reverse the direction of his life from being known as a “killer president” into benevolent, reformist, and God-fearing president.
* * * EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS AT PINK SISTERS. The public is invited to the 30th Eucharistic Congress on November 25, Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Venue: St. Joseph’s Adoration Convent, 71 Hemady Avenue, corner 11th St. New Manila, Quezon City.
* * *
Registration which starts at 6:30 a.m. is FREE. For inquiries, call Pink Sisters, at 722-8828 or Mia Acuna, Secretariat at 0923 1448040 or 0927 3664116.
* * * ST. JUDE. Today join our novena to St. Jude, Saint of the Impossible, at the Divine Word Shrine, Christ the King Seminary, on E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City, after the 6 p.m. Mass.
A healing prayer and anointing of the sick will follow.