Focus, act fast on opening up more livelihood opportunities

WEEKS before the inauguration of President Duterte, 59 drug traffickers were reported to have been shot and killed in encounters with the police and other law enforcement agencies. Add to this the victims of summary killings by the so- called vigilantes or death squads.

These killings, which have only increased in number after he assumed the presidency, plus the arrest of hundreds of persons purportedly engaged in the drug trade, have prompted thousands of drug pushers/ addicts to surrender to the police. From the figures, we can somehow gauge the enormity of the drug menace in the country.

President Duterte wants to restore the death penalty for heinous crimes. And what can be more heinous than ruining human beings—especially children and young girls—by pushing them into drug abuse or a life of crime; or people committing rape or murder because they are under the influence of drugs. No wonder, a good number of Filipinos agree—or, at least, are inclined to agree—with Mr. Duterte on this issue.

But the Bible speaks of a loving and merciful Father who, after losing His patience with hardened, unrepentant sinners and their evil ways, had to render a harsh punishment, sending a great flood and, in another time, a rain of fire. Jesus Himself says something about cutting and burning a tree that does not bear good fruits.

There have been several heinous crimes that people found so shocking and outrageous—a parent raping or killing, or selling to prostitution—his/her own child. These crimes cry to the heavens for swift justice and harsh penalties. For the victims’ family, nothing less than death is what they would want for the guilty.

But must we play God? Isn’t imposing the death penalty not tantamount to arrogating unto ourselves God’s prerogative to act as sole judge of man’s sinful ways?

Crimes do happen because those behind them are motivated by a great need, if not greed. For many, it’s a matter of life and death, their chances for survival at stake. Given the lack of opportunities or assistance (education, good job, moral support, parental guidance) not a few go astray and end up either dead or in prison.

What the Duterte administration should immediately focus on now, is on speeding up the opening of more livelihood opportunities for the poor and marginalized, put food on their tables, provide decent shelters to protect them from the elements, and lift them out from the pit of hopelessness.