Is this the Change that We Want Coming?

Is this the change that we want coming?

Lately, for the past few months, every time I watch the news in the television, read newspapers or browse my social networking sites, there is this feeling that I cannot fathom. I do not know how exactly what I’d feel, I mean I know what I feel but there are contradictions inside that tend to quarrel my contemplation against my emotional state.

Since the turn of the new administration is on track, I was excited yet very anxious of how the new president would lead the republic, and if “change” would really come. The question is, are we ready for this change? If so, are we ready to face the challenges that entail us with this change? Are we willing to take this change? Are we prepared for the risks and consequences that might come out of this change? And are we amenable enough to leave the past for the betterment of the future? No matter what, no matter how?

Today is the 100^th day that we’re under the leadership of the new president. I just can’t help but wonder, about all the good things that had happened during the past few months, things that this administration had brought; however, it cannot reciprocate the lives that were taken, the lives of those persons alleged to be involved in drugs. 

I cannot imagine how the families that have lost their loved ones, children who were instantly orphaned and were left wondering why life is so cruel to them, can still go on in their lives not knowing and understanding why a sudden “change” have affected their once normal perception of the importance of life. I just can’t help but really wonder, why on earth would you kill someone, for that “change ” to take place. 

Yes, breaking the laws of the land necessitates retribution, but without compromising the requirement of going through your right to due process.

Death is not the answer on how we could change the scheme. Death can never alleviate the lives of the families whose kin was slaughtered. Death can never be an answer to the question of a baby boy who would, later on, wonder why he grew up without a father because of this so called “war on drugs” crusade. 

Death can never feed the hungry mouths of a family of eight, now that their bread winner was shot dead along the busy street of the city because he was an alleged drug runner. Death can never heal a mother’s wound brought about by the pains of sorrow and grief because her son was found lying lifeless beside a trash can with a tag on his neck, saying “DRUG ADDICT AKO, HUWAG TULARAN”. Death can never be an answer, nor a solution to our country’s cliched dilemmas.

Why is this happening? It really saddens me. Is this what we want to instill in the minds of our children?

Is this what we want to be known to the world?

Is this what our forefathers had fought for against our invaders and colonizers? To kill each other? Our fellow countrymen?

Is this how are we going to address the pressing issues in our society? Just by killing/ just by death?

Is this what we want to leave to the next generations?

We have gone blinded by our urge for that change. Instead of shedding light to make a brighter tomorrow, we are giving in to resort in wicked ways of eradicating evil.

Remember, a wrong doing cannot be offset by committing another one in making it right.

We are instilling fear instead of discipline. We are breeding rage and angst instead of forgiveness and hope. We are amplifying division instead of unity. The church against the state, the human rights advocates and front-runners against our men in uniform who holds in the mantra, "to serve and protect", and the people who believes in second chances against those who have been sick and tired of the system.

You know what? We are better than this. 

We Filipinos have been known to the world for surpassing each and every storm that come our way, against all odds for centuries. I still believe that these things happen for a reason. 

Let us all pray and hope for the best for our homeland.

Fingers crossed. I know this too shall pass.