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Arming journalists

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez proposed the arming of journalists as a solution to the killings of media practitioners, as the number of journalists killed under the administration of PGMA reached 42, with Fernando “Dong” Batul of dyPR in Puerto Princesa as the latest victim.

The Gonzalez proposal only highlighted two things: that the government cannot perform its primary task of protecting the people, and that it is passing this task of protecting its citizenry to the threatened citizens themselves.

Neither will the Gonzalez proposal solve the killings. It only promotes killings as a means of seeking justice. It breeds injustice rather than solving it.

Gonzalez must be reminded that it is the government’s job -- particularly that of his Justice Department office -- to ensure that justice is rendered to these killed journalists and other victims of political killings. The government, through his office, must perform and ensure its task to charge, prosecute, and try these culprits under the justice system. These must include the masterminds, even members of the PNP and AFP involved in the commission of the crime, without favor and exception. That is the work of Gonzalez’ office (which is why it is called the Justice Department), and not to perpetuate injustices by concocting charges against anti-GMA personalities.

Aside from its inutility in rendering justice to the victims of these killings, arming the journalists is a clear act where the government’s primary functions to protect and serve the people is being passed to these journalists. What will be the role then of government officials? Stay in office and receive their fat salaries and enjoy privileges? It must be pointed out that the government exists, and in fact “extort” revenues through taxes, for the protection of its people.

Since the Gonzalez proposal is an admission of their inutility in rendering justice to these killings, he and other government officials have no business staying in their offices. They are not worth the monthly salaries and allowances they get from the people’s taxes. They are a mess that must be removed from these government offices. #

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