Team DailyPedia
The rise in extrajudicial killings allegedly connected to the current administration’s war on drugs has resulted in heated arguments on social media and other venues about what exactly the role the CHR (Commission on Human Rights) should play. Some argue that they should intervene for those killed, as they have been summarily executed without the luxury of a fair trial; while some criticized the commission for siding with “rapists,” “pushers,” and “addicts,” but stay conspicuously absent when one of their victims cry out for justice.
Perhaps in an attempt to cool down the argument, a netizen posted last August 13, her understanding of what exactly the CHR’s role is. But instead of using legalese, she instead posted her explanation in “beshy” slang (language commonly used on social media, for example in memes), perhaps to make the explanation more relatable to the current generation of social media users.
“Mag-chill ka muna jan (Calm down),” begins San Beda Law student, Alyssa Faye Cabalang. “Kapag kasi may nabiktimang citizen—nirape, napatay or pinatay—sa prosecutors’ office ang punta nila girl (as the case may be kasi madami pa exception fam). Hindi sa CHR. State ang mag-fifile against the accused. Kaya nga People vs. Name of the Offender, mga bessy.” [When a citizen is victimized — for example, was raped, killed, or murdered — the victims should go to the prosecutor’s office (as the case may be, there are exceptions.) They’re not supposed to go to the CHR. The State will file a case for the accused. This is why cases are called People vs. Name of the Offender.]
Cabalang further added that “Kapag over-over na sa OA si State. Kapag niyurakan na niya pagkatao ni ACCUSED. Like wala na siyang karapatan ganon. Kasi nga, hello, napag-bintangan plang siya. So sino nlang magtatanggol kay accused eh si State kampi kay offended party? Ayun na, si CHR na mga bessy.” (If the State goes into overkill, if they trample all over the accused’s dignity, acting like he has no rights when he is merely a suspect still; who then will stand up for the accused when the State is for the offended party? This is where the CHR steps in.)
Cabalang’s views were met with amusement and praise. Facebook user MJ Quilar said, “Very well said. I hope someone will be enligtened by this. Thumbs up!”
The post so far has been shared 3,077 times including by celebrity tour guide Carlos Celdran. A known Liberal Party supporter, Celdran’s posts are almost always peppered with derision by the current president’s supporters. His re-post of Cabalang’s status message was no exception.
“id rather have a fierce government that fights corruption, drugs, criminality than a complacent government na puro papogi (who only make themselves look good),” netizen Eugene Lumanlan replied to Celdran. “say what you have to say, its a free country, pero (but) again, whats happening now is for the best of Our country!”
In reaction to bashers and those reacting negatively, Cabalang had this to say: “Mga bessy di ibig sabihin ng post ko pang-accused lang… Ganito yun fam: di naman ako against sa victim. Gusto nila ng human rights ng victim? May problema ba tayo don? Wala din mga bes, gusto din natin yan… Pero patas tayo mga bessy… Kumalma tayong lahat. Wag natin pairalin ang ating extrajudicial feelings (This doesn’t mean I am only for the accused. I’m not against the victim. Do I have a problem with the victim’s human rights? No, I also want that. But we should be fair and equal. Let’s all calm down and not let emotions get out of hand).”
