Justice and solidarity

Justice and solidarity

Last week's hanging of a 42-year-old Filipino maid, Flor Contemplacion, convicted of a double murder by a Singaporean court, seems to be straining the relations between Singapore and the Philippines, our friendly neighbors and allies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced on Sunday that he was calling off his Manila visit scheduled for April 10- April 12. Yesterday news reports from Manila said that the Philippine government might ban its domestics from working in the island state.

Meanwhile, many Singaporeans who work and live in the Philippines have stepped up security, while others have even left for their home country, after receiving threats from angry Filipinos protesting the Singapore court's decision.

Manila put forth its best efforts to save its citizen from Singapore's gallows. President Fidel Ramos even wrote a personal letter to his Singaporean opposite number, Ong Teng Cheong, asking for clemency, and Comtemplacion's lawyers delivered an 11th hour appeal to try to halt the execution. All was to no avail.

The death sentence was carried out despite protests from Manila and from fellow domestic workers in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Although Singapore, in terms of population and area, is the smallest country in Southeast Asia, it nevertheless is the richest and is widely known as one of the most consistently law- abiding nations.

As a matter of fact, Singapore's justice system is so respected by its people that even Lee Kuan Yew, when he was still prime minister many years ago, could not but appear in court when he was summoned. Singapore's discipline has often been praised by its neighbors.

Last year, a Singapore court's decision to cane an American teenager convicted of vandalism raised strong protestations from the public in the United States, including an objection to the act from President Bill Clinton himself.

The caning was carried out accordingly because it was Singapore's wish to see that justice was done and that those it considered guilty should not go unpunished.

As a friendly neighbor of both Singapore and the Philippines, it is our sincere wish that the hanging issue will not develop into animosity between the two peoples in this region already bound by the ASEAN spirit and solidarity.

We fully understand the anguish of the people of the Philippines and their anger sparked by the death of Contemplacion. We also feel deep sympathy for the children of the deceased who repeatedly declared their mother's innocence.

Enraged by the death sentence and supported by the belief that Contemplacion was tried unfairly by the Singapore court, thousands of Filipinos have threatened Singaporeans. This is understandable because those people are carried away by their emotions.

We strongly believe, that in time, the anti-Singapore sentiment will subside, as did the strong feelings against the Singaporean judicial system among the American public last year.

Singapore's leaders cannot be blamed for not trying to halt the execution because they themselves have to bow to their country's judicial system.

As reportedly admitted by Philippine Solicitor General Raul Goco: "They (Singapore) have their own judicial system... We have to contend with the fact that we are dealing with a foreign country and we cannot apply our own standard."

Singapore's stance on its determination to uphold discipline and to fight crime reminds us of what the great scientist Albert Einstein said of governance and legal systems: "Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced."