Only 60 days into power and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has been a notorious global topic. Agencies such as the United Nations voiced alarm over the so-called Extrajudicial Killings in the country. The controversy is an offshoot of the President’s ongoing war against drugs. Philippine media and politicians from the opposition has portrayed Duterte as an executioner, a heartless ruler, and that in return people are fearing for their life. A 2-day senate probe was even conducted to investigate the so-called extrajudicial killings, but with no substantial evidence or actual charges filed. Despite all these claims of fear and violence, Duterte has a 91% trust rating among Filipinos according to a local survey done last July. In this regard, what is really the opinion of an average Filipino citizen regarding their new president?
To shed some light on their insights, one Filipino reporter decided to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte with some average citizens. His post reveals a lot about the unreported perceptions of people who are considered to be at the fringes of society. Filipino documentary journalist and radio broadcaster Ira Panganiban wrote (translated into English):
“To those politicians saying that the citizens are getting alarmed (over the war against drugs), please clarify who is it really that is getting alarmed, is it really the people or you?. Because based from people I have talked to, they feel much safer because criminals are starting to fear the law.
Let me explain, I am not a high-profile journalist. My turf is in Quezon City, areas like Philcoa, Crus na Ligas, Cubao, Kamias and Kamuning; areas notorious for having a lot of informal settlers. I love hanging out with the people from these areas, drinking with them, exchanging stories. Making these people content and happy is simple, buy them a case of beer, broiled chicken, and some cigarettes and the stories can go well into the night.
My brother’s driver lives in Payatas (former dumpsite). He goes by the name Mang Jun, he is a very funny man. It’s as if he doesn’t have his own problems when he clowns around. These people can make light of any serious situation. During the Senate Hearing on supposed Extrajudicial Killings, it was mentioned by the politicians that the people are now living in fear due to drug pushers and users getting killed. I immediately went to Agham Road in Quezon City, an area which I know have a lot of drug pushers.
It took me by surprise to see that my friends are not there at our usual drinking spot. Aling Isyang told me that the gang is at Boy’s house. So I went there and asked them why they weren’t at the usual spot outside. Boy answered, “The town captain said it is prohibited, Digong (nickname of President Duterte) will get angry”. I was surprised, “Why the heck are you following the captain’s orders now?” and they said, “Even the President listens and follows the Police Chief, and so we should follow the authority too”.
I didn’t know how to react to that sudden change. I looked for one of our friends, Bansot. They told me he had gone to work, that he had changed his ways after listening to the State of the Nation Address of our President. I asked about Dick, the notorious addict and pusher in the area. They said that Dick left after the police gave him a warning. Now the area is at peace. The amount of shabu (crystal methamphetamine) has also skyrocketed. There are no more packets being sold at a very cheap 100 pesos (almost 2.5 USD). The cheapest is 8,000 pesos (186 USD) per gram.
I also noticed that the ladies are no longer afraid to go out the streets. They seem at ease, that even the notorious lawbreakers and promiscuous people like Boy seem kinder. “Seems like it’s peaceful here now” I said, “Ever since Duterte became president, it got more peaceful here. People are afraid to break the law.” “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get killed?” I asked them. Boy said, “As long as we don’t break the law, avoid troubles [we won’t get killed]. Those who get killed, it’s their fault. They have been warned but they don’t listen. They still continue their old ways.”
This is where I realized that their standards and perception of living, of the law, of what is right and wrong are different from us (the ruling middle and upper class). These people who are at the fringes of society live in harsh consequences. Rough words don’t mean anything to them, they have been used to it. They don’t care about flowery words and empty promises. What they like is being straightforward.
What’s even more surprising is that, these people see Duterte as one of them; the harsh uncouth mouth, the anger for criminals, the distrust for the wealthy and the politicians. They will follow Duterte even to the pits of hell if need be, because their support was not bought by him. Their support is voluntary, tempered with love, and looking up to him as their idol.
These people do not give their love easily. After all the pain and bitterness they experienced in life, they cannot love easily. If we thought that we can fool them and buy them with money and empty promises, then it is us who are fools. But they look up to Duterte, and they understand his plans for them. And they are ready to follow him. ”