Halloween can wait, but justice for those killed without a chance to defend themselves cannot. What is truly frightening is the living, those with the power to take lives while setting aside morality. The recent Senate hearing on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s actions reveal a truth more terrifying than any ghost story: when those in power wield brutality to enforce their will, they become the real monsters.
During Duterte’s “war on drugs,” official records show over 6,000 people were killed in police operations. However, human rights groups estimate the death toll could be as high as 30,000. Many of those killed never had the chance to stand trial. In some cases, they were attacked in their own homes, with families forced to witness the horror.
Moreover, in the recent hearing, Duterte admitted to the high number of killings, framing them as necessary for national security. He declared, “I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do,” revealing a chilling justification for the violence he endorsed.
These numbers are not just statistics, each figure represents a life, a family left to grieve. Lorenza Delos Santos, the mother of Kian Delos Santos, captured this pain when she said, “Walang kasalanan ang anak ko, pero kinuha nila… parang hindi na kami tao sa tingin nila.” Her words showed the suffering inflicted by a campaign that showed little to no regard for human life.
Futhermore, the Senate hearing have made it clear that this was no accident. These actions were carried out in broad daylight, supported by those in authority. Duterte’s admission that he believed drug dealers and users posed a grave threat to society, a rationale where the ends justify the means.
The real horror lies in how easily power can be used to justify violence, creating fear rather than safety. When protection turns into destruction, those in power lose their humanity, becoming something truly terrifying.
The legacy of Duterte’s drug war extends beyond numbers and personal stories. It reveals the dangers of unchecked power and leaders who bypass due process in the name of the greater good.
Many Filipinos continue to grapple with the trauma left behind, as justice remains elusive for countless families who lost loved ones. These families know all too well that real horror doesn’t end when the headlines fade—it lingers in their everyday lives.
As others indulge in tales of the supernatural this Halloween, let’s not forget the real fear that exists in our society. It’s not about the dead, but the living, who wield their power without conscience. The true monsters are not in horror stories; they occupy positions of authority, capable of turning nightmares into reality.
So while Halloween is a time for ghosts and thrills, let’s remember the true horror lurking in the decisions of those who have no hesitation in taking lives. It’s the living, those who choose violence over justice, that we should truly fear.
