*artwork by JB Casacop
“Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13)
“Kill them all.” (Duterte 5.5.2015)
“Thou shalt not kill.” (Deuteronomy 5:17)
“If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself.” (Duterte 7.1.2016 )
56. 128. We count them now, bodies, like leaves that fall silently at night. 265. 331. We find them in the morning, strewn on the road, gun shot wounds, a pool of blood, hands tied, a sign that says, “Pusher ako. Huwag tularan.” 465. 564. We can only imagine: a scream that did not leave the throat, a run that culminated in a single step. 603. 730. We clean them up. We wait for another day.
In the name of peace and order! In the name of a safe, crime-free, drug-free, developed Philippines! In the name of the president, the almighty savior! Amen!
They revere him like they revere the saints and the Poon. His motorcade went through the streets of Manila. They waited like it was the second coming. They scrambled to get close, to touch him, tried to give him their handkerchiefs so they can take home some beads of sweat wiped off from his forehead.
Our father, who art from Davao, hallowed be thy name — Duterte — the new Nazareno, the miracle worker, the answer to all our prayers.
“This will be a bloody war,” he said unto them.
One month, two weeks, six nights later: more than a thousand killed, 4,000 surrenders in just one city, a list of drug addicts in every barangay, a longer list of top officials and policemen allegedly involved in drugs, search operations without warrants, vigilantes roaming the streets.
“This is the promise which He Himself made to us…” (1 John 2:25)
And so they rejoice. Finally, a president who will fight for us, protect us, kill for us! Finally, a president who will never forsake us! Finally, finally, the heavens heard our prayers!
Glory be to the father and to his cops!
Oh my Duterte, forgive us for our sins, save us from the fires of drugs!
Deliver us from all evil! Amen!
Renee Karunungan 