Isaac Asimov once said, “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” This statement could not be more applicable to the present-day situation in the Philippines. Violence, particularly physical violence, has become a disturbingly common occurrence that is readily witnessed by and experienced by members of society. Recently, a video went viral on social media, leaving Filipinos astounded, furious, and heartbroken. The footage captured former policeman Willie Gonzales pulling out a gun while verbally and physically assaulting a cyclist during a road altercation in Quezon City. This act of road rage caused public outrage, especially when it was revealed that the victim had agreed not to press charges and even had to compensate Gonzales for the damage to his car. The situation escalated even further when the Quezon City police held a press conference for Gonzales, where he had the audacity to lecture vloggers on responsible video posting.
Tragically, this road rage incident is not an isolated event. Prior to this, a 15-year-old named John Francis Ompad lost his life in an “accidental” shooting by Rizal police. Ompad’s 19-year-old brother was the intended target, as he allegedly attempted to flee on a motorbike when plainclothes law enforcers flagged him down. Furthermore, Navotas police mistakenly killed 17-year-old Jerhode Baltazar, believing him to be a murder suspect they were pursuing. These incidents raise serious concerns about the state of our police force and the Filipino psyche, which appears to be increasingly accepting and inclined towards violence.
Instead of exhausting all available options before resorting to force, individuals now seem to immediately turn to violence to resolve conflicts. What should be the last resort has become the first choice. The mantra of “shoot first, ask questions later” seems to resonate among Filipinos, particularly those entrusted with the responsibility of using force only as a last resort. Sadly, this inclination towards violence as a method of dispute resolution is not new in our country. A quick glance at historical news headlines reveals that resorting to knives or guns in fights, or even hiring hitmen to eliminate political rivals, has long been a familiar way of “getting things done” in the Philippines. However, it appears that in recent years, there has been a significant increase in violent incidents, as evident from news reports and social media discussions. It feels as if violence is reaching its peak in our society.
Part of this increasing violence can be attributed to the actions and rhetoric of our past president, who openly threatened to kill or have killed individuals he deemed undesirable. This included both individuals he berated on national television and suspects in his drug war. He even encouraged law enforcers and the military, who have sworn to uphold the rule of law and protect the weak, to disregard due process and ensured them that he would shield them from repercussions. In doing so, he unleashed a dangerous force. It is uncertain how long it will take to regain control.
It is crucial that we take a firm stand against the rising tide of violence and make it clear to our politicians and policymakers that we will not tolerate it any longer. This is not the kind of society we desire for ourselves or for our children. We must act decisively while the deafening crescendo of violence is still echoing in our ears. If we fail to do so, our collective psyche will adjust, and we may find ourselves gradually becoming indifferent to future acts of violence, instead of reacting with shock and outrage. We cannot allow violence to become the new normal.
President Marcos must take immediate and concrete steps to curb the inclination towards violence among law enforcers. It is vital that he unequivocally communicates that the encouragement of violence, as witnessed in previous years, will not be tolerated any longer. This message should be accompanied by actions, such as prosecuting those who have violated their duty to protect and serve. The same strict measures should be applied to citizens who wield their firearms irresponsibly during road rage incidents. It is crucial to send a clear message to the public, especially considering the significant increase in private gun ownership in recent years. The time to act is now, before it is too late. If we ignore this problem, we risk becoming indifferent, and the next victim of a trigger-happy police officer or an individual involved in a traffic altercation could be someone we hold dear.
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