‘The buck stops with you’
I am referring to the article “Duterte: Strongman? I haven’t jailed anyone” (5/5/18).
Don’t play with words, Mr. President. You may not have jailed anyone personally but you did order, and continue to encourage, the extrajudicial killings in your war on drugs.
Of course, you are in the end accountable and responsible. The buck stops with you.
We certainly have taken seriously the issue of the increasing number of EJKs that continue to happen. Latest Human Rights Watch report tags the total — since you assumed the presidency on June 30, 2016 — at 10,000 victims, maybe even more and mostly from the poor.
How about the drug lords?
You may have won the election by 6 million votes, but your total is a mere plurality of 39 percent, not even a simple majority.
You might enjoy a high rating on job performance, but I also have read enough articles and opinions that question your style of leadership which endangers democracy.
Right from the start, your war on drugs has been controversial.
Perhaps I am another Sister Pat who happens to be irksome to you. But this time being a Filipino woman, I cannot be deported and I have the right to criticize my government.
Yet you do not seem to listen to us, but rather try to silence oppositions. If you truly desire to serve your people, broaden your perspective by learning from us.
SISTER NENITA TAPIA, MM
