EDITORIAL - IN PHILIPPINE JAILS, IT IS A HOLIDAY ALL YEAR LONG

Maybe it was because it was Valentine's Day yesterday that an item in
the local papers was treated as a human interest story, or more
specifically as a love story. Under different circumstances, the story
would have made for a good issue.

The story dealt about the petition of a woman, currently detained at
the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center, to be allowed to spend the
night with her lover, also a detainee, in the men's dorm.

On Valentine's Day, it is one heck of a human interest story, having
all the elements of a heart-tugging yarn. It allows a little sunshine
into our lives and makes us forget, or ignore for a while, the other
elements that make it, in fact, a harsh real-life story.

For purposes of being humane and for that purpose alone, we sincerly
hope that woman got her wish. Aside from that, we hope the petition
never got granted. For while we cry and ache over the human condition,
we must not forget to be strong and hard for the tough realities of
life.

Look, that woman has been detained since 2003 on drug charges. Her
lover is in jail for probably the same reason. The crime she is being
accused of is one of the most harmful crimes a human can ever be
charged with.

Drugs destroy families. They destroy lives. Those who derive gain from
its production and sale are perhaps the worst criminals there are.
Sure they may feel love, but what sweetness is there is negated by the
cruel destruction they inflict on others.

Also, the petition to stay together for the night proves that the
practice is probably still alive in the city jail, otherwise the
petition would not have been made at all. The practice is what has
come to be known as " conjugal visits. "

As practiced before, spouses of detainees can spend the night with
their " loved ones " inside makeshift " conjugal abodes " that are
being leased by the powers-that-be in jail. These sort of mini motels
can even be used by detainees who have no spouses, just any mates.

This practice is the only one of its kind in the world. In the
Philippines the concept of crime and punishment is grossly
misunderstood. Instead of punishment, inmates enjoy appliances, good
food, smuggled drugs and fornication. It is a holiday all year long.