Still, no concrete plan except blaming
It is not surprising that the regime is repeating the same message that is contrary to the much needed attention.
For as President Duterte rather vent his attention on the opposition than this ever present pandemic most people find the message as annoying if not starting to question his performance as President in this time of crisis.
And to think that the pandemic came as a surprise and a challenge for governments in various countries, Duterte, rather responded only with the narrative that he knows best- by treating it as a "peace and order" situation coupled with the brute force of the police and military. With this somehow trying to hide his feigned understanding of the situation if not his incompetent resolution-building in this matter.
From his statements he placed large parts of the country under two months of military lockdown in the name of "community quarantine" that has made people suffer intolerable conditions. While having insufficient funds for social services and instead the stubborn emphasis on security threat towards his political adversaries, as well as debt servicing for his debt-driven "development".
“This is not martial law. Don’t be scared,” Duterte said. However, the fear brought by his threat prevailed as one police official in Manila was caught on video threatening to shoot those who would be caught breaking quarantine and curfew protocols, while Barangay task force members were also seen beating a fish vendor for breaking quarantine rules, what more of mentally challenged retired military officer was shot dead at point-blank range by policemen whose alibi was that they thought he was reaching for a gun. This kind of action would say showeth how the regime's attack dogs taketh seriously their boss's statement and the pandemic as an opportunity to silence dissent.
And in speaking of silencing dissent, that through a blatant attack to free press, Duterte’s administration ordered the cease-and-desist of the operations of broadcasting corporation ABS-CBN. Duterte wouldn't had succeed this if not for his allies like Solicitor General Calida (who also behind the ouster of former Chief Justice Sereno through Quo Warranto), his cohorts in the legislature (especially Speaker Cayetano) who intentionally neglect duties pertaining to the broadcasting station and its franchise, and the hordes of supporters who used social media to intimidate artists and media personalities disagreeing with the station's closure and those who disagree with the order's policies and actions. Worse, to hear a statement a from a military officer telling "Yes to law and order! Otherwise you might just get the martial law that you deserve" to those who opposed the said shutdown.
These actions would say all ran contrary to the shameless act of NCRPO Chief Debold Sinas after being exposed throwing a party in the middle of the lockdown, drawing ire from various government and other personalities, or the quarantine breach of Senator Pimentel. These would say how impunity is evident under Duterte’s regime. His cronies and allies walk away scot-free with apologists trying to defend, while most Filipinos suffer from his grave actions.
Perhaps from these unjust actions and more, all brought by the order rather outweighs the promises to "flatten the curve", "promote inclusive development", or to "impose justice" as words like Duterte's 01 April speech ordering the military and police to shoot to kill uncooperative quarantine violators justify those moves. This and other similar presidential rants brought utter disrespect and a complete disregard human rights in favour of “stricter measures” and a bastardised version of rule of law that's rooted on fear. Apologists may still continue to justify his stances time and again, but with a still-neglected healthcare system, ever-continuing economic unrest, and a myriad of threats, violence and abuse of police/ military power this doesn't stop the folk from investigating, complaining, what more of opposing the administration and its gestures- for a growling stomach is louder than a foolish President’s echoing words.
But, unfortunately for Duterte and the order he've sworn to, this braggadocio cannot save the country from the public health problem it faces. His regime has wasted all the people’s effort as it utterly failed in its duty to ensure the people's safety such as for the government to conduct mass testing, tracing, and isolation of Covid-19 cases what more in failing to lead in the procurement of testing kits and reagents, in strengthening the machinery for mass testing and tracing, in hiring more health practitioners, and in building enough quarantine centers as well as other necessary public health measures.
And to think that with his armed thugs are still willing to justify the message of their dear leader Duterte by putting it into action, apologists will still continue to justify it as they downplay "human rights" for their leader's brand of "discipline and order", as shown by the recent events.
Hence, to cut this note short, there's no concrete agenda from the order to lessen if not to stop this pandemic, except blaming those who stood against its soiled view of "peace and order."
For as President Duterte rather vent his attention on the opposition than this ever present pandemic most people find the message as annoying if not starting to question his performance as President in this time of crisis.
And to think that the pandemic came as a surprise and a challenge for governments in various countries, Duterte, rather responded only with the narrative that he knows best- by treating it as a "peace and order" situation coupled with the brute force of the police and military. With this somehow trying to hide his feigned understanding of the situation if not his incompetent resolution-building in this matter.
From his statements he placed large parts of the country under two months of military lockdown in the name of "community quarantine" that has made people suffer intolerable conditions. While having insufficient funds for social services and instead the stubborn emphasis on security threat towards his political adversaries, as well as debt servicing for his debt-driven "development".
“This is not martial law. Don’t be scared,” Duterte said. However, the fear brought by his threat prevailed as one police official in Manila was caught on video threatening to shoot those who would be caught breaking quarantine and curfew protocols, while Barangay task force members were also seen beating a fish vendor for breaking quarantine rules, what more of mentally challenged retired military officer was shot dead at point-blank range by policemen whose alibi was that they thought he was reaching for a gun. This kind of action would say showeth how the regime's attack dogs taketh seriously their boss's statement and the pandemic as an opportunity to silence dissent.
And in speaking of silencing dissent, that through a blatant attack to free press, Duterte’s administration ordered the cease-and-desist of the operations of broadcasting corporation ABS-CBN. Duterte wouldn't had succeed this if not for his allies like Solicitor General Calida (who also behind the ouster of former Chief Justice Sereno through Quo Warranto), his cohorts in the legislature (especially Speaker Cayetano) who intentionally neglect duties pertaining to the broadcasting station and its franchise, and the hordes of supporters who used social media to intimidate artists and media personalities disagreeing with the station's closure and those who disagree with the order's policies and actions. Worse, to hear a statement a from a military officer telling "Yes to law and order! Otherwise you might just get the martial law that you deserve" to those who opposed the said shutdown.
These actions would say all ran contrary to the shameless act of NCRPO Chief Debold Sinas after being exposed throwing a party in the middle of the lockdown, drawing ire from various government and other personalities, or the quarantine breach of Senator Pimentel. These would say how impunity is evident under Duterte’s regime. His cronies and allies walk away scot-free with apologists trying to defend, while most Filipinos suffer from his grave actions.
Perhaps from these unjust actions and more, all brought by the order rather outweighs the promises to "flatten the curve", "promote inclusive development", or to "impose justice" as words like Duterte's 01 April speech ordering the military and police to shoot to kill uncooperative quarantine violators justify those moves. This and other similar presidential rants brought utter disrespect and a complete disregard human rights in favour of “stricter measures” and a bastardised version of rule of law that's rooted on fear. Apologists may still continue to justify his stances time and again, but with a still-neglected healthcare system, ever-continuing economic unrest, and a myriad of threats, violence and abuse of police/ military power this doesn't stop the folk from investigating, complaining, what more of opposing the administration and its gestures- for a growling stomach is louder than a foolish President’s echoing words.
But, unfortunately for Duterte and the order he've sworn to, this braggadocio cannot save the country from the public health problem it faces. His regime has wasted all the people’s effort as it utterly failed in its duty to ensure the people's safety such as for the government to conduct mass testing, tracing, and isolation of Covid-19 cases what more in failing to lead in the procurement of testing kits and reagents, in strengthening the machinery for mass testing and tracing, in hiring more health practitioners, and in building enough quarantine centers as well as other necessary public health measures.
And to think that with his armed thugs are still willing to justify the message of their dear leader Duterte by putting it into action, apologists will still continue to justify it as they downplay "human rights" for their leader's brand of "discipline and order", as shown by the recent events.
Hence, to cut this note short, there's no concrete agenda from the order to lessen if not to stop this pandemic, except blaming those who stood against its soiled view of "peace and order."