Some People Need Killing

by Patricia Evangelista

President Duterte said kill the addicts, and the addicts died. He said kill the mayors, and the mayors died. He said kill the lawyers, and the lawyers died. Sometimes the dead weren’t drug dealers or corrupt mayors or human rights lawyers. Sometimes they were children, but they were killed anyway, and the president said they were collateral damage.

I could write about the day I made a future Nobel Peace Prize laureate cry in frustration. It was my fault, but I still say she started it.

I want to hear this story!

“As for Magellan,” concluded my grandfather, “he remained where the Mactan islands got him. And the moral of this tale is: next time you ask for anything, say please.”

While the Philippines is listed among the largest English-speaking nations, individual levels of fluency depend on education and upbringing. In a country where more than a hundred languages are spoken, a command of English, much like pale skin, is a signifier of privilege.

“If Rodrigo Duterte wins,” we wrote, “his dictatorship will not be thrust upon us. It will be one we will have chosen for ourselves. Every progressive step society has made has been diminished by his presence. Duterte’s contempt for human rights, due process, and equal protection is legitimized by the applause at the end of every speech. We write this as a warning. The streets will run red if Rodrigo Duterte keeps his promise. Take him at his word—and know you could be next.”