Isn't there enough deterrence?

Another Filipino OFW has been executed in China. In spite of appeals and requests from the government, China has carried out the execution in accordance with their laws. No surprises there. This year alone, four Filipino OFWs have been executed, all for drug trafficking. All for becoming drug mules. Sources have it that the last person executed has been a drug mule several times, only getting caught at his last mule trip. In other words, he knew the risks, he knew it was a crime. The money was probably too hard to resist every time until his last.

But the thing is we could blame poverty all we want. It remains the problem of more than 80% of the people in this country. But being poor may have different definitions as well in this country. It could mean abject poverty, where the majority lie. It may be claimed by those who are able to eat three square meals a day but cannot send their kids to school. It may be defined by those who can eat and send their kids to school, but do not own a vehicle of any kind. Some may see it as having a vehicle, just not what they want, like a nice Japanese sedan or a van. While others may have the vehicles but not the nice clothes. You get the picture.

Of the 208 Filipinos in Chinese jails, all are drug-related. I’ll assume most, if not all, involve some form of drug trafficking. Some are serving life imprisonment, some have fixed-term imprisonment, while 70 of them have death sentences yet to be carried out, unless commuted to a lesser punishment, which is rare in China. We’ve all heard how the Chinese treat their own citizens. Immediately after a death sentence is carried out, an execution takes place, normally by a bullet to the head. The Filipinos may have it a little better than their Chinese criminal counterparts. Not saying much of course.

I believe the country has had enough of news of OFWs arrested for drug trafficking in other countries. Needless to say, if you are caught in China, that’s it. Especially with a large quantity of drugs on you, inside or out! Aren’t these executions in China, along with all the other imprisoned Filipinos, enough deterrence for future wannabe drug mules? How can one reconcile a willing drug mule, who pleads for mercy once caught? I’ve had several discussions with friends and relatives, and all believe that if there are still those who enter this nefarious trade and get caught, then rightly so! There are enough dead persons to show what can, and will happen once caught. Cold? Unfeeling? I guess so.

The solution lies in identifying the recruiters, and the foreigners who are behind the syndicated operation. The armchair generals of crime, dictating and directing to the foot soldiers where to go to die. Thing is, they do not suffer the same fate as our countrymen. Either our punishments are too light and silly, or they are freed because of corruption. That’s why it still persists. That’s why there are still those easily lured and blinded by the sheen of easy money. That’s why we will still be pleading for their lives once caught.

Tell me you’re not tired of this.