TITLE: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A COIN

AUTHORS: DELICANA, KARYLLE

FUENTES, MERRY BEATRICE C.

LAZARO, KARLO S.

BSOA - 2A

“If only my life is as sweet as an apple from the beginning, maybe I wouldn't
rot and suffer a bitter end.”

__________________________________________________________________

All of us have our stories to tell; some are easy to share, and some are not. We
rely on our listeners and readers to understand our narratives because not
everyone is willing to listen. And when they share their stories, it only means that
they trust you.

There are invariably two perspectives to every narrative. Therefore, as an

audience who has the autonomy to observe, it's beneficial to be aware of both
viewpoints. This concept is akin to the approach adopted by law enforcement and
judicial authorities when handling a situation involving an alleged offender and a
victim.

It's essential to uphold the principle of presumed innocence until guilt is proven
beyond a reasonable doubt. To ensure a fair and impartial justice system, the
authorities must carry out procedures to obtain statements from both the victim
and persons of interest. Only then can individuals pass judgment on the wrongdoer
with a comprehensive understanding of both perspectives involved.

It's true, in many cases, we only hear one side of a story - that of the victim.
But it's essential to remember that there is always another perspective, one that
belongs to the person accused of wrongdoing. While hearing about a heinous crime
can leave us feeling outraged and demanding justice for the victim, it's crucial to
consider the possibility that there might be more to the story than what meets the
eye. And maybe, it's a matter of “Why” than “How”.

What if we could understand why someone would do something so horrific, like

hurting or even killing another person? Should they be given a chance at a normal
life, or should they face the consequences of their actions? It's a complex question,
and there's no easy answer. In this world shrouded in a dark mist, seemingly
penetrating into our vision and mind alike, despite every wicked action and
abominable cruelty, will we choose to forgive but never forget?

For some people, we pushed ourselves to think that perhaps some extreme
circumstances pushed the accused to commit the crime. We weigh the possibility
that they may be dealing with mental health issues, or they were a victim of abuse.

If you were in their shoes, would you have come up with a different solution
that didn't result in harming or killing someone? It's a difficult question to answer,
and one that requires more than empathy and understanding. For one's answer
may be viewed as detestable and horrible.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to grant the accused a second chance or to

impose severe consequences is a complex one. It's a matter of balancing justice
with compassion, reality with optimism, and life and death. But it's crucial to
remember that every person deserves to be heard, and every story deserves to be
told. Only then can we make informed decisions and ensure that justice is served in
a fair and impartial manner.

There is always a narrative to be shared on the opposing facet of the coin. Just
like how these law-abiding individuals became a slave of the devil to commit such
atrocities.

__________________________________________________________________

In 2016, the commencement of a novel administration occurred, which pledged

to spearhead the battle against drug abuse. This administration firmly holds the
belief that unlawful substances serve as the root cause for various heinous crimes,
including but not limited to rape and robbery. This administration's approach to
addressing drug abuse is characterized by a strict and authoritative stance often
referred to as the "kamay na bakal" or iron hand.

The administration's stance on drug abuse is not without controversy, as some

have raised concerns about the extent of the killings that have occurred in the
course of this war. While the administration maintains that the majority of those
who have perished are drug lords. Many claims that drugs are only a facade to
annihilate innocent victims. Those who have innocently died, unbeknownst to them,
were referred to by the administration as an evildoer. Those deemed hopeless and
commited into doing abhorrent acts.

The significant number of killings, which are connected to the battles against
drug cultivation and distribution, have created fear amongst the populace.
Individuals who are suspected of involvement in illegal narcotics are being closely
monitored, including police officers and government officials.

There have been rumors circulating within the media regarding the involvement
of not only police officers dedicated to combating illegal drug activities, but also
individuals associated with a death squad, who are suspected of being responsible
for numerous killings and disappearances of individuals involved in illegal drug-
related activities.

This death squad functions as a vigilant group that engages in law enforcement
activities without possessing the necessary legal authority. According to certain
individuals, this is perceived as one of the methods employed by the administration
to attain victory in the battle against illegal drugs.

A certain individual by the name of Hugo is acknowledged as a member of the

vigilante group. Despite his tender age of merely 18 years, he has chosen to
engage in this line of work. One may wonder, however, how such a young man can
partake in an organization focused on vigilantism.

Hugo's childhood was characterized by immense tragedy, perhaps serving as an

explanation for how a young man ultimately became a vigilant. Hugo's father, Mang
Lucio, is afflicted with alcoholism and addiction to gambling and he unfairly
attributes his pitfalls to his son. Hugo endured both physical and emotional abuse at
the hands of his father whenever Mang Lucio returned home after losing at
gambling.

Furthermore, Hugo's mother herself experienced mistreatment at the hands of

Mang Lucio. With his pitiful and current age, Hugo cannot safeguard his mother and
his siblings from their father. Hugo's ongoing misfortune and tragedy in his life
persist as his mother receives a stage three lung cancer diagnosis. Compounded by
his father's state, characterized by alcoholism and gambling, Hugo finds himself in a
dilemma. Not only does he lack the means to transport his mother to the hospital
for treatment, but he also bears the weight of responsibility for his four siblings.

The father departed from the family because of his involvement with another
woman. In October 2016, their province was devastated by super typhoon Lawin,
leading to widespread flooding and the loss of numerous lives across various
provinces, including their own. As a result of these unforeseen circumstances, his
mother and three siblings tragically lost their lives due to drowning. He didn't even
have time to mourn as he was faced with a cold and harsh reality that time goes on
and continuously pushes forward towards an unknown future, especially for him
and his sister.

Despite not having a clear vision and idea, Hugo assumes complete responsibility
for his younger sister, Anna. Although, he lacks knowledge on how to embark on a
journey filled with thorns and countless storms. He had no choice but to continue
despite all the worries that shrouded his mind.

Unfortunately, a greater dilemma faced him. He doesn't have a job, nor the
qualification to have one since he failed to finish his high school education. Still,
there is no time to cry over a spilled milk. Hugo must find a solution to provide food
and shelter for Anna. Otherwise, they will both die before they can even begin to
live their life.

It is particularly challenging for them to sleep on the street, especially during

rainy weather. Most of the time, they sleep with an empty stomach. He can bear
the hunger. However, he can't stand seeing the pitiful state of his sister, Ana. It
makes his stomach churn, realizing how bad their situation is that it cannot be fully
depicted through words alone. At the same time, his eagerness soared, and his
fiery passion burned. He wanted to escape from hell and an endless abyss that
trapped him and his sister.

Hugo initiates the act of gathering plastic bottles with the purpose of
subsequently selling them. Although, it wasn't near enough, it's a hundred times
better than having nothing at all.

It was a full moon, just as he thought nothing could get worse. As he got back
from collecting bottles and trash, he discovered Anna beneath the bridge, suffering
from a severe fever and persistently vomiting. Hugo immediately led Anna to the
nearest hospital; however, the medical facilities declined her admission due to
Hugo's lack of financial means to support his sister's medical requirements.

Despite desperately pleading for assistance, none of the individuals present

expressed a willingness to help them. On the other hand, scouring looks were
thrown at them. Consequently, as Hugo's hope wanes, a black-cladded man, who
appears to be in his forties, approached him and offered him assistance, with the
condition that he would receive a job in return. Desperate, Hugo has chosen to
accept the job opportunity presented despite not having an idea about the man and
the job itself. For now, the only thing the matters is for his sister to get better.

He cannot lose Ana and he knows it too well. He cannot bear to lose the only
family that he has left. This decision holds immense significance for Hugo as it
represents a transformative opportunity in his life, as someone has displayed
unwavering belief in his abilities. The black-cladded man, now known as Ka Erning,
generously provided Hugo with a substantial amount of money to settle the hospital
bill and assist in finding a suitable shelter for Anna. Despite not yet commencing
work for Ka Erning, Hugo expresses profound gratitude for his kind gesture.

Ka Erning said, "For now, you should prioritize your sister's needs before we
head to Manila." Hugo's face showed confusion as he asked, "Manila? What?!"

Ka Erning explained, "Yes, in Manila. I want to remind you of the job

opportunity I previously offered you as an exchange for the assistance I provided to
both you and your sister."
 Hugo replied, "But what about Anna? I can't just leave her here." Ka Erning
answered, "You can't bring her along, Hugo; It'll be too challenging for you to focus
on your job."

Hugo replied, "But she needs me." Ka Erning said, "You don't have to worry; you
can send her some money so she can start anew here in the countryside."

Hugo hesitated, "But I can't abandon her here." Ka Erning replied, "You're not
abandoning her for no reason, Hugo. It's for her own good, isn't it? You want your
sister to be happy, don't you?" Hugo replied, "I would like to."

Ka Erning continued, "Sounds good, I'll make sure that your sister will be fine
here. I promise, Hugo. I'll answer any questions once we get to Manila.”

Anna serves as the sole motivator for Hugo's unwavering determination to go to

great lengths in order to provide her with the life that she rightfully deserves.

Hugo's eyes fluttered open as he heard the command echo through the stillness.
"Pull the trigger, Kid," a deep voice called out from afar. Hugo's groggy mind
struggled to comprehend his surroundings. He looked around, taking in his
surroundings: dirt roads stretching out into the horizon, abandoned buildings, and
the faint smell of smoke in the air. It all came rushing back to him - he was in the
middle of a drug turf war, and he was vigilant.

As he regained his bearings, Hugo realized that his actions had led him here. He
had once been an upstanding citizen, one who thirst for power and determination to
change the fate of him and his sister. He had vowed to do everything he could to
escape and secure a bountiful life for Anna. But now, as he stood here, gun in hand,
he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

Before him stood a man in his thirties, pleading for mercy. His eyes were wide
with fear, and he made a solemn vow to cease all involvement in the drug trade.
Hugo hesitated. He could see the desperation in the man's eyes, and for a moment,
he felt a glimmer of compassion. But just as he was about to let him go, a gunshot
rang out, shattering the silence.
 "Hey, I get that this is your first time on the job, but just so you know, I won't
always be around to save you. Don't forget, it was Anna that made you accept this
kind of job. Our duty is basically to get rid of the stigma in our society. The ones
we're targeting are the people who constantly abuse their power and mistreat the
unprivileged,” Ka Erning began.

“Some police officers are not doing their job properly. So, in exchange for
money, we're doing what they can't do. So, don't let your conscience devour you,
you know? You better get used to it or else it is the guilt that will kill you." Ka
Erning said, while Hugo's still in utter shock and processing what just happened.

Despite Hugo's desire to leave his job, he is unable to do so due to his knowledge
of potential consequences, such as meeting the same fate as the individuals who
were killed. Hugo has observed various individuals who wish to reform but lack the
ability to discontinue their involvement in illicit drug activities. Moreover, he knows
that he won't be able to find a job since he wasn't able to finish his studies.

Ka Erning always fulfills his commitment to provide Hugo with a significant

amount of money as remuneration for his services. Hugo has never met his direct
superior, but instead, he receives his job solely through Ka Erning. As he
inadvertently caught wind of the conversation between his fellow colleagues, they
portrayed him as the most formidable in the nation, with no individual being
inclined to serve as a testifier against him.

For Hugo, there may be instances where the act of taking someone's life could
be perceived as justifiable in the interest of upholding peace within the community.
But on one fateful day, he was bestowed with a new task to kill a politician who
committed heinous acts by causing the demise of numerous innocent individuals to
conceal his illicit enterprises, notably intertwined with the illicit drug trade and his
victims of sexual assault.

Hugo proceeded towards the designated location of the target, carefully observing
his surroundings. When he finally had the opportunity to aim and initiate the action,
he noticed the presence of a child positioned near the target.
 The sight of the child struck a resemblance to his younger sister, Anna. Hence,
he made the decision to wait until the child leaves the establishment, firmly
believing that such distressing events should not be experienced by innocent
children.

As he found himself in a moment of solitude, he opportunistically came face-to-

face with the intended individual. Brandishing his firearm menacingly, the target
was taken aback by the sudden and precarious situation, resulting in a palpable
display of apprehension and unease. The politician attempted to offer a significant
monetary sum to Hugo in order to dissuade him from causing harm.

"What do you want from me? Money? Just tell me how much you want and I'll
give it to you”, the politician pleaded seemingly afraid of what could happen.

Hugo replied, "Unfortunately, sins cannot be paid by money alone."

"Please, I'm begging you! I have a kid who really needs me. Please show some
mercy!" the politician continuedly pleaded.

Hugo clenched his fists, his heart pounding in his chest as he faced off against
his latest target. The politician before him pleaded for mercy, but Hugo knew better
than anyone that this man was beyond redemption.

"How can someone as wicked as you expect mercy?" Hugo spat out, his voice
filled with anger and disgust. "Have you got no shame? You never had an ounce of
mercy for the people you killed or the innocent women you harmed."

The politician cowered, his head down as Hugo continued his tirade. Hugo had
seen the worst of humanity in his line of work, but this man took the cake. He had
killed without remorse, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

But as the politician begged for his life, Hugo couldn't help but feel a twinge of
doubt. Was he doing the right thing? Was it worth risking his own freedom to bring
these criminals to justice? Was this really what he wanted?

As the politician pleaded for a chance to turn his life around, Hugo hesitated. He
knew that this man was capable of change, but could he trust him? Could he be
sure that he wouldn't slip back into his old ways? Despite everything that he has
done, should he be forgiven?

In that moment, Hugo realized that his job was far from easy. He was not just a
vigilante, but a judge, jury, and executioner all rolled into one. He had a
responsibility not just for bringing these criminals justice, but for ensuring that
innocent individuals were not implicated in their crimes.

It is a battle of considering the well-being of their victims; justice and the

uncertainty they hold and the family of the wrongdoer that will be left behind. As
his mind was filled with countless thoughts, flowing like an endless river, Hugo
knew that his occupation as a vigilante was ethically incorrect and could land him in
prison. It was a far cry from his desire of wanting to escape from poverty, but it
was his reality.

Hugo had come to accept that his job was not something he could simply walk
away from. Doing so could put his sister, who was the only family he had left, in
danger. Only in death would Hugo be released from his duty.

As he raised his gun once again, Hugo couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness
for what he was about to do. But he knew that it was necessary, that justice had to
be served to protect innocent lives.

Hugo pulled the trigger and the politician crumpled to the ground. As he walked
away from the scene of the crime once again, Hugo couldn't help but feel a sense of
emptiness inside him. He had done what he had to do, but at what cost? This is not
what he wanted, nor what he dreamed of. Just as he thought everything would be
over once he was able to escape from the hell of an abyss, he was shackled in his
own prison.

As he walked through a deserted street under the moonlight. Hugo felt an

overwhelming sense of emptiness inside him; In contrary to the moon that is
shaped perfectly like a coin. He does not like the sight of the moon as it reminds
him of how it seemingly disappears during the day, much like how Hugo has to
forget a part of him in order to build a facade that looks invulnerable from afar.
 He felt like he was drowning, suffocating under his own weight. His mind is
slowly being consumed by his never-ending thoughts. As his heart was burdened
heavy with guilt, shattering his spirit broken beyond repair. He was scared and
afraid. He feared the person that he had become.

After years of not being able to grieve, tears came streaming down his face.
Hugo pulled out his gun; his hands trembling as his heart raced.

As his mind was clouded by despair, he took aim and closed his eyes.

“I am sorry, Anna”, he mumbled. “I failed you… I failed myself… I failed

humanity…” he pulled the trigger and in that moment; Hugo's life came to an end.

In that moment, the world didn't end, nor did it change.

His efforts barely made a mark as humanity continues to suffer from an

unending tragedy. One that kills the mind, and one that forever haunts the innocent
souls. Just like the other side of a coin, people have their own stories to be told.
Hence, understanding is more difficult than judging. Still, is it necessary to listen to
another side despite having an awful and loathsome front?

Will you choose justice over compassion? Or optimism over reality?