NOT ALL VIGILANTES ARE ABOVE THE LAW
The meaning of the word ‘vigilante’ is used to refer to any individual
who operates outside the limitations of the law. They formulate their own
concept of justice and carry it out without any authority, permission, or
instruction from judicial factions of the government. Their actions, without
the consent or support of judiciary system, make them no different from what
they oppose. Because they practice their own methods of fighting crime instead
of following regulations based on the law; they become branded as criminals as
well. However, they are criminals who have a ‘two-faceted’ social standing.
Their actions are either condoned or criticized by society; each judgement is
dependent on the relative outlook of society. This is the commonly accepted
description of a vigilante.
The Duterte administration, however, proves an offshoot from the
generally accepted meaning of “vigilante”. A president who is biased against
drug-related issues fabricates a ‘war against drugs’ and empowers subordinates
with the privilege to practice extra-judicial killings. To add, Rodrigo Duterte
unreservedly proclaimed his ardor for the eradication of any individual/s
connected to drugs; whether they are users, pushers, or members of syndicates.
He makes no attempt to conceal his indifference with regards to the methods law
enforcers use to act out his orders and propagate the elimination of drugs from
the country.
Other than suspected drug lords and syndicates, even local citizenry
begin dropping like flies when officers show no reserve during raids. More
often than not, such operations ended with corpses of persons whose civil
rights have been neglected. As a result, appropriate civil procedures have
become obsolete; and the public share opposing views with regards to this social
issue.
The current administration, by the impression it has made upon the
masses, have garnered both the favor and criticism of the people. Opposing
factions either support or condemn the procedure by which the ‘drug-war’ is
put into practice. The individuals who carry out these unorthodox methods, as
well as those who support them, are the people who wield positions of authority
in the government; Justice Secretary
Vitalliano Aguirre II and PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to specify a few.
Vigilantes fight crime in their own way, with complete disregard to the
letter of the law. This is the reason they are considered ‘above’ it. When
government officials and their subordinates connive to meet ends in the fashion
of vigilantes, they are an undeniable example of the latter, but WITHIN the
law.
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