"Liberate ourselves against modern-day tyrants like the drug lords" - Cayetano

Statement of Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano

on the Occasion of the National Heroes Day

August 28, 2016

Senator Cayetano

In the course of our nation's history, generations of patriots heeded the call to fight for nationhood against colonizers and tyrants. Lapu-Lapu, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Ninoy Aquino are some venerated heroes who sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears to help our country move forward. Today, we are at a crossroad as a nation and as a people. The challenge is to fight and liberate ourselves against modern-day colonizers and tyrants. These are the drug lords, the criminal syndicates, the corrupt, and the oligarchs. President Rodrigo Duterte is rising to the occasaion, along with fellow patriotic Filipinos, to rid society of these present-day oppressors, and is fighting a day-to-day battle, which he is poised to win decisively. We are one with him in pursuing societial reforms where no modern president has ever tried. We also honor members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on National Heroes Day. Our law enforcers deserve to be recognized as modern-day heroes for their sacrifices for our people in the fight against illegal drugs and criminality. On National Heroes Day, we honor gallant Filipinos who laid down their lives to liberate our people from oppression and foreign domination. This occasion also allows us to recognize the brave men and women of today who continue to ensure that we live in a society that is safe, free and peaceful.
For many years, drug lords have dominated our communities like tyrants, destroying Filipino families and endangering the safety and lives of our people, especially the youth. The anti-drug campaign is a no non-sense war to secure our people’s freedom and the country's interest from the clutches of these present-day tyrants namely drug lords and criminal syndicates. I strongly believe that President Duterte’s intensive campaign against illegal drugs is his way to honor our most revered Philippine heroes. Our police and soldiers risk their lives in the line of duty to keep the rest us safe and secure. But it pains me to see how they have instead become targets of criticism and seemingly endless investigations. Even more so, they do not receive adequate compensation despite the hazards brought by their profession. It's about time that they receive higher salaries and the proper credit that they deserve. As our law enforcers wage the war against drugs, we urge them to continue to uphold the rule of law and respect human rights. But they must continue to be relentless in the government’s fight against illegal drugs for the sake of the next generation. At least nine police officers and three soldiers have been killed since President Duterte launched the war on illegal drugs 59 days ago, as attested by PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa. Let us remember them as heroes, not as mere casualties: PO3 Jenny Agbayani, SPO3 Marlon Nicolas, PSINP Mark Gil Garcia, PO3 Nestor Dimaano, PSINP Orlando Guira, PO3 Jerson Autida, SPO3 Edmar Bumagat, PO2 Armand Villanueva Jupia, and SPO3 Limuel Mahaba Panligan, CPL Josel Miravalles, PFC Jaypee Duran, PO3 Dar Espallardo Many don’t realize the sacrifices our law enforcers make until they themselves end up martyred in the line of duty and reported in the news. We have other living heroes that similarly deserve recognition, our Overseas Filipino Workers, our teachers, our nurses and our farmers and fisherfolk. Dapat nating kilalanin din sila, gawing huwaran at ipaglaban ang interes at karapatan. And the best way to recognize them is to give them a clean government and a society that is safe and free from drugs and criminality.