Achieving peace through peaceful means

President Rodrigo Duterte is well loved by his people in Davao City because of his compassion and mercy for the masses. He has dedicated his life to serving his countrymen and he has kept Davao a livable place because security and safety for all is his utmost concern. As a public servant, he can show us a long list of his accomplishments and that he is qualified to be the Philippine president.

We have always believed that Duterte is still determined to provide equal treatment and protection to all. He may be overwhelmed by his concern for people and by the serious and gargantuan problems the country faces, but these should not compel him to set aside his being a good man or to put on a fiercer “facade.”

As the crusader for peace and justice that he claims to be, President Duterte could have shown a speck of humanity before ordering his men to use their guns and kill suspected criminals. Duterte might not see the consequences of such an order on human rights. He might not even see as extrajudicial kills the lives of hundreds of suspected drug dealers and fugitives “claimed” by brutal death squads; but we hope that he foresaw that the situation would worsen should he fail to address the concerns of those who really want to attain peace in a peaceful manner.

The statement of grave concern of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of the Manila Priory (“A statement of grave concern,” Opinion, 8/19/16) is a wake-up call for the Duterte administration to reflect on its actions and to take heed of the small voices of the majority who want to oppose a culture of death and impunity and promote a profound respect for life.

Our children look up to a leader who makes a firm decision but who, at the same time, has a great deal of respect for humanity. We don’t want to inculcate in their minds the idea that justice can only be attained when we see dead bodies on pavements.

—BING NASIAD, [email protected]