What does justice mean to you?

@tryxiness (4544)
Philippines
July 3, 2008 12:15pm CST
It’s been 3 weeks since the court decision on my brother’s death came out. The verdict for a case of homicide was 6 years and 1 day to 12 years and one day of imprisonment to the perpetrator. It was a case of people of the philippines vs the perpetrator. Just a summary of my brother’s case. It was an end-of-summer celebration where my brother, who just came from a climb from Mt. Apo, celebrated with his pals in a grill bar. The thing was there was a girl named Martha Theresa, who was not even someone super close to my brother but happened to be a friend of a friend, who celebrated with my brother, started seeking for help from my brother. Her problem was her boyfriend, Vincent, who was ignoring her. This Vincent was inside the same grill bar with some of his pals. My brother did intervene with certain gestures and with intentionally sending the message -- “do not treat the girl like some trash”. The intervention basically hurt Vincent’s bloated ego. Vincent and his pals left the grill bar. Hours later, my brothers and pals rode with Martha. They thought all the while that they will be going home. Until they reached the Caltex Station in Bajada. After unloading Martha’s car, it was then that they realized that they were brought to a place where Vincent and a number of his pals were. My brother sensing danger, he then hailed a cab, and saw to it that all of his male pals were inside, until one of his pals noticed that one of their friends, Juvelyn, was still with Vincent’s group. My brother went down to take her, but, instead, he was hit on the face by Ronnie. This Ronnie happened to be Vincent’s friend. The moment my brother got knocked, he fell on the floor. This Ronnie continued giving my brother blows despite the fact that my brother was already unconscious. In fact, he even kicked him. He only stopped when the guard started calling the police. Martha was even overheard saying that she had nothing to do with what happened to my brother. They left my brother’s death bed the moment my brother started snoring -- a sign of critical condition. There was never a media report on what happened to my brother. It was then that we learned that Martha happened to be a daughter of a certain judge in Davao. When we filed the case, it was in the preliminary investigation that both Martha and Vincent were dropped, leaving Ronnie, the only person accountable to the death of my brother. -- With the verdict... we do not feel that there was justice at all. Justice for us is knowing what really happened to that night. Why my brother was there? Justice is not JUST putting Ronnie behind bars but letting him and those responsible how it felt losing someone whom you have loved. Did they feel how it was losing someone whom you grew up with? whom you have shared your dreams with? Did they feel how it was seeing your parents and brothers very fragile? Did they see how my parents felt like there was something wrong with them? Did they see their older brother feel like so defenseless? Did they see their youngest brother being uprooted? Did they feel how it was trying to live normal when infact after my brother’s death our lives were never normal. Our lives have changed. Everyday, after my brother’s death, we were gasping for air and we were trying not to be drowned by our emotions, and we eventually let the wind took us to where we are and what we are now. Nobody has a right to inflict pain to one individual. And if you’re going to ask what Justice then for us... it would be making them feel how it was losing someone whom they valued most. The imprisonment of Ronnie would not bring my brother back. It is but not JUST. It does not entail holding my brother or hugging him tightly or seeing him grow old or hearing his voice. It does not even give me an idea of how my brother would smell after playing basketball. --- My question now is if you felt like being violated, how would you then get justice?
2 responses
• Philippines
12 Jul 11
Tryx, I'm sorry that kulang ang justice you were served. Of course, until I read this, I never knew you were going through something. Personally, I really just pray. There were things in my life that could have and should have been taken to court, but today I'm glad I didn't. I really just wanted to get on with my life and not have to waste it on the people who hurt me. I choose to forgive and pray about the things that happened to me. Always, I noticed some of those meet setbacks that were enough to have me understand that I'd rather pray that God would spare me. It's hard, I know, but life is best lived without baggages. Your brother tried to do the right thing. That gal will get her just desserts and a stricken conscience.
• Philippines
12 Jul 11
Erratum: *that I'd rather pray that God would spare THEM. --Spare my "enemies" I mean. Sometimes the consequences had been so brutal, you'd rather have mercy on your enemies. Here's to your healing, and your family's too, Tryx. Hug. :)
1 person likes this
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
28 Aug 11
Thanks for the hug nenyalorien. I appreciate it much.
• Philippines
11 Oct 08
I am sorry to hear about your brother. Justice for me would mean seeing the remorse from the one who violated me. Letting him feel how is it to be violated and hurt.