V.

DISCUSSIONS

The study aimed to examine the experiences and status of families who have
members that are included in the drug watch list in relation to the Philippine’s war on
drug issue and the execution of the OPlan Tokhang. Families in this study shared that
they experienced fear, anxiety, and been bothered for their safety for a long period of
time that lead them to emotional and psychological ordeals. They felt being judged easily
by the people in the society and the chance to be understood is quite impossible. Because
of all the negativity, their perception in the Justice System was affected and changed.
Finally, in spite of arguments, misunderstanding, and challenges, family still manifests
sense of resiliency that through thick and thin, every family is willing to give constant
love, communication, and familial support and believed that the Holy presence of the
Lord will help them overcome such difficulties.
The study confirmed, that based on the analyses of the gathered data, that most of
the participant’s verbatim accounts revealed that having a member included in the drug
watch list creates a state of fear and insecurity in the family. They always have that fear
that something bad is going to happen with their family member included in the drug
watch list and the impact of the inclusion to the drug watch list brought emotional and
MOVE 1 psychological ordeal by having avoidant behaviour, at first, but then make them realize
that strong support system will always be the best remedy.
Clearly, the result of the study imply the need to address families perceived gaps
in the justice system in relation to the issuance of drug watch list was affirmed by the
majority that law enforcers in the barangay and police level don’t mind executing the
program without due process of law and non-observance of presumption of innocence
was common in the neighbourhood and common populace. Families also believed that
the government must provide rehabilitation programs for the convicted offenders not just
arresting them. Further, families with members included in drug watch list had faced
different challenges in their journey. Maintaining to be strong, positive with all the
negativities plays as big challenge to everyone since social stigma has been established.
Families still managed to be resilient individuals longing for justice and betterment of
their family.
The study confirms the importance of overcoming difficulties and among families
with members included in the drug watch list, majority said that the best way of
overcoming this kind of difficulty can be resolved through proactive guidance and follow
up, by giving constant love and support. Having strong faith in the Lord, that all trials
will pass and they will stand still as one family no matter what happens will help
everyone to rebuild the broken pieces in the family caused by issues related to drugs.
Similar findings in the studies of Greenfield (2010), and Wigglesworth and Storch (2012) CITATION
were found in which most of the participants displayed positive and hopeful attitudes (SUPPORT
despite the fear and anxiety they feel towards the situation. Accordingly, Kurt and Atay ING
(2007) found on their study that families with members included in drug watch list had LITERATU
RE/STUDI
faced different challenges in their journey. Maintaining to be strong, positive with all the
ES)
negativities plays as big challenge to everyone. Families still managed to be resilient
individuals longing for justice and betterment of their family.
At this point, limitations of the study recommend more in-depth research that
must be conducted. This study provides a general overview of drug watch list situation in
Cavite, but many aspects of it remain rather superficial. More in-depth research needs to
MOVE 2 be carried out on a range of issues related to drug situation in Cavite. The researcher
hopes that this study will generate more debate; in relation to this matter; that will
promote human and social justice among families.
Finally, future researches on OPlan Tokhang should address not only the challenges
encountered by the family, the government must start from the root causes of this drug
problem. Drug addiction is a widespread phenomenon. It is not enough to tackle drug
MOVE 3 addiction per se and in isolation. Greater emphasis on problems facing potential solutions
must be provided by the government. More attention needs to be given to the creation of
greater economic opportunities and more equitable access to such opportunities in areas
where drug addiction is rampant.