Ensure accused Filipinos abroad get fair trial

THE CASE of the three Filipinos sentenced to death for drug trafficking in China betrays our government officials’ ignorance of the health hazards of illegal drugs and how drug abuse ruins families and the children’s future. The congenital anomalies and the genetic abnormalities that are associated with alcoholism and use of illegal drugs are well-known. It takes thousand of years for nature to correct the abnormality by natural selection, if ever.

In the meantime, human beings with abnormal genes continue to spread the abnormality. These genetic abnormalities are threats to human existence. Hence, drug pushing is a crime against humanity. Sadly, this criminal offense is being taken lightly. It is ironical that our government is asking clemency for drug mules for humanitarian reasons.

I do not believe that Filipinos bring “pasalubong” to China, which is one reason why many of them are said to carry packages for a relative or friend without knowing their actual content. Of course syndicates are also quite clever in exchanging baggage. And, when needed, the Philippine government should help in the legal defense of its citizens in foreign lands; but once they’re convicted in a fair trial, it would be inappropriate for the government to ask for clemency for them. Other countries implement their laws strictly.

For a person like me who has spent many years campaigning against food contamination and the use of illegal drugs, it is very disappointing to see the Philippine government spending time to defend convicted drug mules, when it should be spending time and resources informing the public about the dangers of using illegal drugs. It shows that Philippine government institutions and agencies are catering to drug lords, albeit there may be a few good men in government. By the way the movie “A Few Good Men” is Hollywood’s way of expressing its real frustration with the corruption in the US government.

Why is the Catholic Church asking Filipinos to pray for these three drug mules? Pity the drug users, particularly the children and adolescents who are the victims, but not the drug pushers, drug syndicates and their political protectors. The wrong persons are being spared the rod. Lessons must be learned.

—BERNARDO D. MORANTTE JR., MD,

23 Mt. Fairweather St.,

Filinvest I, Quezon City