Name: JOLAND A.

ELIZONDO Section: BSED SCIENCE-2B

Instructor: MR. JOHN VINCENT DACOYCOY Date: MAY 05, 2025

REFLECTION PAPER ON
“Saving the Youth”: Children and Young People as Moral Subjects in the
Philippines’ Punitive Drug Regime

The article “Saving the Youth: Children and Young People as Moral Subjects
in the Philippines’ Punitive Drug Regime” provides a powerful and unsettling critique
of how children and young people have been both symbolically and practically
entangled in the country’s war on drugs. It reveals the contradictions in the state’s
portrayal of the youth, as both innocents to be protected and potential criminals to be
punished and the damaging consequences of this duality.

What struck me most was the way the government uses moral narratives to
justify violence. Children are framed as needing rescue from the influence of drugs,
but in practice, they become victims of surveillance, fear, and in some tragic cases,
death. The article's analysis of high-profile killings, such as that of Kian delos Santos,
shows how moral panic is used as a political tool, where the protection of youth is
cited as justification for brutal tactics. These contradictions reveal how authoritarian
values can become normalized when cloaked in the language of morality and
protection.

The paper also highlights how these policies disproportionately affect poor
and marginalized communities. Youth in these areas are more vulnerable to both
drug-related issues and to being targeted by the state. Instead of receiving support,
they are stigmatized and punished. The war on drugs, as described in the article,
fails to address the root causes of drug use, such as poverty, lack of education, and
absence of social services.

One of the most important insights from the article is its call to recognize the
agency of the youth, not as moral objects used to justify state power, but as
individuals who deserve support, care, and empowerment. It advocates for a shift
from punitive policies to ones grounded in human rights, social justice, and
rehabilitation. As someone preparing for a future in education or social work, this
resonates deeply with my personal and professional values. Reading this article
evoked a mix of emotions: frustration at the injustices suffered by the youth, sadness
over the lives lost or harmed, and a sense of responsibility to advocate for a more
compassionate and just society. It reminded me that policies, even when framed as
protective, can inflict deep harm when they prioritize control over care.

In conclusion, “Saving the Youth” challenges readers to critically examine the

narratives used by the state to justify violence against the young. It emphasizes the
urgent need for reform, moving from punishment to protection in its truest sense.
This article reinforces the idea that truly saving the youth means safeguarding not
just their bodies, but also their rights, dignity, and future.
"To truly save the youth is not to control them through fear, but to uplift
them through justice, compassion, and opportunity. If we remain silent in the
face of their suffering, we become complicit in the violence. It is time to reject
policies that disguise punishment as protection and demand a future where
every child is valued, not as a threat, but as a life worth nurturing."

REFERENCES:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/
10.1080/09687637.2024.2408486#abstract
Name: SHANIEL RUZZ P. CAÑAS Section: BSED SCIENCE-2B
Instructor: MR. JOHN VINCENT DACOYCOY Date: MAY 05, 2025

REFLECTION PAPER ON
The “War on Drugs” in Philippine Criminal Courts: Legal Professionals’ Moral
Discourse and Plea Bargaining in Drug-Related Cases

The chapter titled “The ‘War on Drugs’ in Philippine Criminal Courts: Legal
Professionals’ Moral Discourse and Plea Bargaining in Drug-Related Cases” by
Pablo Ciocchini and Jayson Lamchek offers a profound examination of how the
Philippine judiciary has navigated the complexities introduced by the Duterte
administration’s aggressive anti-drug campaign. Through qualitative interviews with
prosecutors, public attorneys, and judges, the authors delve into the moral and
procedural adaptations within the legal system, particularly focusing on the
resurgence of plea bargaining as a judicial tool.

One of the central themes of the chapter is the tension between the legal
professionals’ commitment to due process and the political and moral imperatives
imposed by the “War on Drugs.” The campaign led to a surge in drug-related cases,
overwhelming the courts and exposing the fragility of the legal infrastructure. In
response, legal professionals have increasingly resorted to plea bargaining, a
practice previously restricted in drug cases to expedite case resolution. This shift is
not merely procedural but is deeply rooted in moral judgments about drug offenders,
often perceived as inherently culpable and in need of rehabilitation.

The authors argue that this moral discourse among legal professionals
contributes to a form of systemic bias, where the presumption of innocence is
overshadowed by a collective belief in the inherent guilt of drug suspects. This
perspective aligns with the broader neoliberal framework that combines market logic
with moral governance, effectively criminalizing poverty and marginalization. The
chapter highlights how plea bargaining, while ostensibly a pragmatic solution to case
backlog, becomes a mechanism that reinforces these moral judgments, allowing
legal professionals to reconcile their duty to uphold the law with their personal beliefs
about drug offenders.

Furthermore, the chapter sheds light on the implications of this moral

discourse for the rights of the accused. The reliance on plea bargaining often
circumvents the rigorous standards of evidence required for conviction, raising
concerns about the voluntariness of guilty pleas and the potential for miscarriages of
justice. The authors emphasize that this practice disproportionately affects the poor,
who may lack adequate legal representation and are more susceptible to coercion.
 Reflecting on the insights presented in this chapter, it becomes evident that
the “War on Drugs” has not only strained the Philippine legal system but has also
prompted a reevaluation of judicial ethics and practices. The normalization of plea
bargaining in drug cases illustrates how legal mechanisms can be adapted to align
with prevailing political agendas, sometimes at the expense of fundamental legal
principles. This adaptation underscores the need for continuous scrutiny of legal
practices to ensure they serve justice rather than perpetuate systemic inequalities.

Above all, Ciocchini and Lamchek’s chapter offers a critical lens through
which to examine the intersection of law, morality, and politics in the context of the
Philippine “War on Drugs.” It challenges readers to consider the broader implications
of judicial practices and the importance of safeguarding legal integrity amidst political
pressures. The chapter serves as a compelling reminder of the judiciary’s role in
upholding justice and the dangers of allowing moral judgments to dictate legal
outcomes.

“In a justice system strained by political pressure and moral ambiguity,

we must reclaim the law as a shield for the vulnerable, not a weapon of
convenience. True justice is not measured by the number of convictions, but
by our unwavering commitment to fairness, dignity, and the rule of law. Until
the courts stand firm against the tide of moralized prosecution and systemic
bias, the promise of justice will remain hollow for those who need it most.”

REFERENCES:
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-17918-1_11