By Lean Porquia / Bayan Muna Nominee
Paano nga ba ang “Bring Tatay Home” kung ang tatay mo ay pinatay dahil sa ipinaglalaban nito? Kung ang tatay mo ay ni-red tag at sinabihang terorista? Paano gagawin ang “Bring Tatay Home” kung siya ay naging abo na at nakalagak sa madilim na espasyo para sa mga cremated nang namatay?
Obviously they are not referring to my Tatay when they say “Bring Tatay Home.” They’re referring to Rodrigo Roa Duterte who was arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC), brought to The Hague on a private Gulfstream plane, and detained in a well-equipped facility complete with board-and-lodging, 24/7 internet and phone access.
The same Rodrigo Duterte who was the evil mastermind behind the Oplan Tokhang and the all-out-war against insurgency. Both have used extra-judicial killing as the manner to prosecute anyone alleged to be a drug addict or an enemy of the state. No preconditions, no due process, no distinction between innocence or guilt.
When they say “Bring Tatay Home,” referring to Rodrigo Duterte, there is still a chance he might come home to Davao alive — if he is acquitted of all the charges against him. But when I say Bring Tatay Home, there is no life to the ashes, no comforting conversations of “Kumusta ka na?” and definitely no warmth in the physical embrace of my own Tatay.
At this point, it’s all about the propaganda war. Whose narrative will reach the eyes and ears of millions of Filipino people. To them, it’s all about defending a false idol, complemented by mountains of lies, fake news, and blind idolatry. Their ego was struck and is difficult for them to take it. For us, it’s about justice.
I really pray that Rodrigo Roa Duterte lives a long healthy life ahead. Conviction in the ICC is 30 years at the minimum. Tatay has been dead for five years now, no justice in sight. Our perseverance and determination to fight for justice is personal. There are thousands of Tatays, Nanays, Ates, Kuyas, Lolos, Lolas, Titas, and Titos killed under Duterte and we cannot bring them home anymore. #
= = = = =
The author’s Tatay, Bayan Muna-Iloilo coordintor, Jory Porquia, was killed by suspected government operatives in Iloilo City in 2020.
