WHO “saved” Mary Jane Veloso’s life?
The harsh truth is that no one has. All she got was a reprieve. A postponement. The prospect of facing a firing squad still looms like a specter in the coming days or months. We should all pray that her death sentence is withdrawn and she is granted clemency and a commutation. But even that could still mean a long jail term.
At any rate, I think there is reason to celebrate the reprieve. A few more days, weeks or months of life are worth celebrating. They provide an opportunity to make amends for wrongs committed and to perform the good deeds that should have been done in the past.
In Mary Jane’s case, she could become the poster child for the seemingly futile battle against drug trafficking and human trafficking, as well as the irony of a booming economy built on the backs of slavish, suffering overseas workers.
The terrible fact is that her fate isn’t a tragedy in a vacuum. It is a tragedy replicated over and over again right here in our country. Ermin Garcia, Jr., publisher and editor of the fighting Pangasinan newspaper, Sunday Punch, could not have stated it more bluntly in a recent Facebook post:
“ I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
“I wish our people protesting the execution of Mary Jane would be as passionate in fighting the proliferation of illegal drugs in our own communities.
“The drug lords who will never be executed here, are killing more Filipinos every day right in our midst whose only crime was to succumb to the lure of the illegal drugs. Yet we don’t cry for them.
“It’s no secret that drug syndicates are operating in our towns and cities with impunity, breaking up thousands of families every day where they can. Yet we just shrug our shoulders.
“Why aren’t we angry enough because the government and the police are not doing enough to protect us, our family members from the clutches of drug lords and syndicates? Why aren’t we mad at judges and prosecutors who are protecting the illegal drug trade? Why are we tolerating known pushers to move around freely?
“Yet we are angry with the Indonesian government because it refuses to be lenient in the case of Mary Jane. Why?
“Do we feel for Mary Jane just because she is a victim about to be executed in a foreign land? Shouldn’t we feel more for the thousands of parents whose children are slowly dying because of drug addiction? Is this situation OK because the drug victims are here and are being killed by fellow Filipinos, who out of poverty, survive by selling drugs?
“I don’t understand why we can’t and don’t care enough for our victims right here in our own communities.
Jane, in whose possession was found 2 kgs of heroin, is lucky to have millions rallying and praying for her. Thousands of victims here at home are not as lucky.
“I don’t understand.”
More than most activists and crusaders, Ermin has the credibility to make this harsh indictment. In May 1966, his father, Ermin Garcia, Sr., founder and editor of Sunday Punch, was assassinated right in his own office, for exposing a criminal operation allegedly masterminded by a local politician. Barely past his teens, Ermin, took over the helm of the newspaper and continued the crusade of his father, daring the criminals to do their worst.
I had the pleasure of working with Ermin when he arranged a tie-up with Advertising & Marketing Associates (AMA) in the early 70s. He was so young then, I felt ancient beside him.
I think Ermin’s lament deserves the attention of the crusaders for good governance both in the Philippines and abroad. I think the Gabrielas and Migrantes and other activist groups that are quick to march and demonstrate at the US embassy, at every presidential State of the Nation Address (SONA), and over such inane issues as the use of the phrase “Bilmoko” should turn their attention to the plague cited by Ermin.
The “anti-corruption” trio of Senators Koko Pimentel, Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Thrillanes may also want to pursue this crusade. They will at least be facing a lesser risk of reprisal than Ermin’s father or Ermin, himself, considering their phalanx of bodyguards and their legislative immunity.
Indeed, let us stage demonstrations to save the life of Mary Jane Veloso. But while we’re at it, how about responding to the challenge of Ermin and mount a serious and sustained war (not just a demonstration for media exposure) against the cancer that has taken root in our country?
Even if that battle is only partially won, there should be enough credit to spread around. Which brings me to the subject of who should get the credit for Mary Jane’s reprieve.
I think everyone should get some credit for it. It would be grossly unkind and unfair to accuse President Aquino of doing nothing or not doing enough. As president of the country, responsible for the lives of over 100 million, he did what he had to do to save one life.
It certainly is more than what he reportedly did – or failed to do – to save the lives of 44 Special Action Force troopers in Mamasapano.
I think Vice-President Binay, in his capacity as OIC for OFW affairs, deserves credit for his own efforts, notwithstanding the obviously mercenary attempt of some media people to blame him for Mary Jane’s fate. The VP, after all, has done more than any other public official to help OFWs, including saving the lives of some.
I think Migrante, in spite of its obviously ideological agenda, deserves credit for providing the Veloso family with active and continuing support. I think the millions of Filipinos in our country and overseas who stormed heaven for Mary Jane’s life deserve credit for their concern.
I think the Indonesian activist group, Migrant Care Indonesia, cited by Mary Jane’s parents, deserves credit for having personally appealed to President Widodo. And I think that President Widodo and the Indonesian government should be given credit for being willing to revisit Veloso’s case in light of the surrender of the suspected recruiter.
I think that Mary Jane’s parents deserve credit for never giving up on their daughter, whatever might be said about their lack of gratitude for PNoy’s efforts. One can easily forget niceties under their dire circumstances,
And, lest we forget, I think we should thank the Good Lord for granting Mary Jane an extra lease on life. In His divine mercy, more miracles could happen.
With the credit having been spread so generously, the harsh question should also be asked: If the worst case happens and Mary Jane Veloso is brought before a firing squad, will the folks who have been given credit for the reprieve be willing to accept responsibility for the failure to save her life?
Or will there be the usual finger-pointing and washing of hands?
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