The Unrepentant

I almost did not write a column for today, given my shock and mixed feelings about the “extradition” or “kidnapping” of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

With so many ideas and sentiments rushing through my mind I opted to be the last, not rush to comment, and wait until all the “players” showed their cards. As they say, prudence is a virtue.

As it turned out, “cooperated with Interpol” was actually premeditated, the missing Warrant of Arrest had indeed been issued about a week ago but kept confidential by ICC, Interpol and Malacañang.

After praying about it, I was reminded of a parable in the Bible, Chapter 18 of the book of Matthew, that highlights the parable of the Unforgiving Servant where Jesus teaches us about compassion, gratitude, wickedness and retribution.

23 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he began to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him saying, “Master, have patience with me and I will pay you all.”

27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying “Pay me what you owe.”

29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him saying, “Have patience with me, I will pay you all.”

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, came and told their master all that had been done.

32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me” 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?”

34 And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So, My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

The Unrepentant Servant in the parable, to me, is none other than President Bongbong Marcos, who in February 1986 was chased out of Malacañang along with his family, loaded on a US Air Force plane and flown to Hawaii.

If the Americans had not interfered or intervened, chances are most of them would have been hurt, imprisoned or killed. While in exile, they enjoyed personal freedoms and movement in the US, even entertaining friends and visitors from the Philippines.

By God’s grace and mercy, the Marcoses were able to return to the Philippines, where they were expected to “behave” not stir up trouble and, according to some; settle debts owed to the Filipino people. None of them spent a day in jail or were physically assaulted.

The very same people who accuse Rodrigo Duterte of human rights abuse have also accused Ferdinand Marcos Sr. of human rights abuse when they both fought the NPAs. Thanks to a “functioning judicial system,” practically all the ill-gotten wealth cases have been thrown out in the Philippines, along with human rights cases.

Senator Imee Marcos publicly declared that they owe so much to the Duterte’s for their father’s burial, for VP Sara agreeing to the Unity ticket and stepping aside to become vice president. The vote then was for “Unity,” not Mutiny.

Unfortunately, Sen. Imee Marcos has said that reminding PBBM of the virtues of “utang na loob” is an exercise in futility. Other relatives claim that PBBM finds it impossible to forgive after Digong called PBBM “bangag” and threats made by VP Sara Duterte.

Last weekend, PBBM, aided by Remulla, Año and Teodoro, did to Rodrigo Duterte what was done to the Marcoses and associates in 1986. But unlike the Marcoses, Digong was not being chased out of Malacañang.

Even expert commentators abroad point out that PRRD is not being tried for the usual type of crimes against humanity or genocide, but for EJK in an actual “drug war.”

Yes, Digong has his sins before men and God, but what does the deceitful manner of his extradition make of Marcos Jr.? The Golden Rule that Jesus Christ left us tells us to “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

The Book of Proverbs warns us that pride comes before the fall and the signs are beginning to show in the words and actions of the administration’s cast of characters. They declare that more arrests and extraditions will follow.

The head of the CIDG bragged about carrying Duterte bodily into the plane. Contradicting or implicating statements and events have popped up that support the claim that legal procedures required in the process were not done.

When the hero Ninoy Aquino was murdered in cold blood at the NAIA tarmac, there were protest marches, millions paid respect and stood along the way of the funeral procession. But a revolution did not take place. People Power happened three years later.

From Pasig to Zambales, check points are suddenly everywhere. While Digong’s supporters mourn, the perpetrators worry.

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