Name: Adrian Paul G Astorga Date: 09/21/2020

ReEd Schedule: MWF 10;30 – 11:30

Argumentative Paper

Duterte’s Response to the

Coronavirus: ‘Shoot Them
Dead’
The Philippines president’s order to kill quarantine violators amid
coronavirus chaos tests democracy yet again in his country.

BY LYNZY BILLING
APRIL 16, 2020, 9:08 AM

MANILA, Philippines—Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is bringing his

uniquely brutal brand of leadership to combating the coronavirus. On March 24,
police in San Isidro forced alleged curfew violators to sit under the sun, and the local
government’s Facebook page posted a photo of them, saying, “Everyone violating
the curfew will be placed here.” (Such treatment is legally classified as torture under
the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.) A few days earlier, officials in Santa Cruz, Laguna
province, locked five youths inside a dog cage for the same violation. Further reports
emerged of police beatings and shootings around the country. “Anyone out at the
wrong time will be shot, you sons of bitches,” said a police officer on a radio report
on March 26.
And on April 1, Duterte delivered an impromptu national address with a short
and clear message: “My orders to the police and military … if there is trouble or the
situation arises where your life is on the line, shoot them dead,” he announced.
“Understand? Dead. I’ll send you to the grave. … Don’t test the government.” In his
warning, Duterte called out the human rights group Kadamay, which he accused of
instigating a protest against the government’s lockdown.
 In today’s time especially we had encountered this pandemic it is wrong to
handle this issue with brutal force we must understand the people that are suffering
and provide them with care, as we read the article the words “Shoot them dead”
leaves a strong message to the hearts of the Filipino. This word’s stroke fears in the
minds and hearts of the people. A message that may leave a scar from our Leader.
True there are people who don’t follow rules and orders.
There are people who tend to break the rules even if this rule, are made to
protect us. But killing them or shooting them is not the way to prevent others from
breaking the rule. It will only lead to chaos and arguments that may further sabotage
the order that we are trying to keep. Violence is not always the answer, there are
many ways to touch the hearts and minds of the people without using force. In these
times we must work together in order to overcome this crisis and must have faith in
God.
Duterte delivered an impromptu national address with a short and clear
message: “My orders to the police and military … if there is trouble or the situation
arises where your life is on the line, shoot them dead,” he announced. “Understand?
Dead. I’ll send you to the grave. … Don’t test the government.” In his warning,
During this dark times, we people tend to make rush decisions that leads to a
mistake. The issue talks about how Duterte orders the police and military to shoot
them dead, referring to the violators. His words were rough and doesn’t help the
situation. It just gave people fear that may lead to chaos and arguments, instead of
using kind words that may touch the heart of the people. Because in time of
darkness and sorrows we people must hold each other’s hand. We must unite and
have faith in God. For when the night comes, the sun always shines on the other
side.