EDITORIAL - The folly of releasing unsubstantiated lists

Last week, Los Baños Mayor Cesar Perez was shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside the municipal compound.

His family surmised that his murder might have something to do with his inclusion in a drug list allegedly published by the state. Perez now joins another list; that of public officials who have been shot dead by unidentified assailants after their names came up in a so-called drug list.

Following the murder, President Rodrigo Duterte immediately washed his hands of that drug list.

"Kung sabihin mong 'yang listahan na 'yan, hindi akin 'yan. It's a collation. Lahat-lahat na 'yan sa intelligence reports ng drug enforcement at sa intelligence ng military at police," he was quoted as saying in a report.

Perhaps he really does have nothing to do with it, just as he claims. Perhaps he also knows more than he is letting on, we may never know. But one thing sure is that such lists are dangerous and should not be made public.

If someone has a list of individuals that they are sure are protecting drug operations, are engaged in terrorism, or are involved in corruption, then let them go after those individuals in court. Let them present the evidence they have before the proper venue.

There is really no need to publicize names --whether of drug protectors, terrorists, or corrupt public officials, or others. Doing so turns it into a trial by publicity. We also have to point out that inclusion in a nefarious list, whether rightly or wrongly, already casts guilt and disgrace on someone in the public’s eye.

There is also the chance that such a list is faulty. Let us remember the case of our vice mayor, who one day just suddenly found himself in a so-called drug list. While he was eventually able to clear himself, a lot of damage was already done to his name. For some time, he had to needlessly suffer the stigma of being labeled a drug protector.

Publishing such lists also violates the presumption of innocence. Just in case we have to remind some people, under the law we are all presumed innocent of whatever crime until proven guilty.

So again, if you have enough evidence, then take it straight to court. There is no need to swing by the court of the public by releasing so-called lists.