[Y-SPACE] An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth

by Kirby Marquez

“Just because you’re holding a gun doesn’t mean you have the right to kill.”

There is news that disappointed the people and brought fear to the country. The government forces have used guns in various unlawful ways. We’ve seen the news about a cop who shot a 52-year-old woman and her 25-year-old son mercilessly. There was also a cop who appeared to be drunk and shot another 52-year-old woman at the store. In Quezon City, there was a cop who shot a lockdown violator with a mental illness. The same thing happened recently when a curfew violator who was said to be having a mental illness was shot by a Barangay Tanod. These victims were weak, and they don’t have much power to fight against them.

The suspects faced consequences for what they have done. The question is, did the victims obtained justice? If these incidents were not filmed or caught by the camera, how can they get the justice they deserve? Policemen are supposed to be the country’s heroes. They are supposed to eradicate criminals and make us feel secured because it is their duty. Therefore, the uniformed personnel must use their weapons in necessary situations.

Living in today’s generation and witnessing these kinds of unlawful acts, I cannot deny that there are changes in how I look to these government forces. Hopefully, these incidents will eventually stop to keep the people of the Philippines protected and secured.

Death is not an answer to correct the wrong. We can rinse the surface, but the stain will always remain.

Kirby Marquez, 21 years old, BA Journalism Student from Cavite State University-Main Campus in Indang, Cavite. He loves photography, filmmaking, and traveling. “You can change what you do, but you can’t change what you want.” – his favorite quote from the Netflix series Peaky Blinders.

YSPACE is a platform open for young writers to contribute their worth-sharing thoughts and stories to the world. It is a space for young people and by the young people which aims to promote a strong sense of empowerment and inspiration to young Filipinos.