HOTSPOT

A netizen recently shared a CCTV footage showing his dog being brazenly stolen right outside their house, after the pet escaped from a gate accidentally left ajar.

“Social media justice” was swift, especially in this pet-loving nation. Somebody was able to trace the thief’s vehicle, complete with photos and information about the thief’s occupation. Many people wished luck and sent good vibes to the owner.

With important pieces of evidence on hand, the barangay helped reconcile the dog with the owner. The family would decide not to press charges. They figured the dog’s return was the important thing, and they have achieved it.

But in several instances of this story with a happy ending, there was a flurry of toxic gaslighting and victim-blaming that presented the ugly face of social media and society in general nowadays. While conveniently hiding behind anonymity (and ultimately accountability, because it would be difficult to hold them liable for their defamatory statements), some really gave the pet owner more heartache than they would give the thief or the apparent culture of impunity in neighborhoods.

“Why are you so irresponsible?” one asked. “That’s totally your fault,” said another. This would not matter a lot if said in private or to themselves (as in thinking aloud). But they said it on social media where negativity often always attracts more attention. Perhaps seeing their posts getting all that reaction and traction gives them a certain sense of sadistic satisfaction, even if they’re wrong.

Another went on to say the pet owner should have known that thievery is supposedly part of Filipino culture. This particular line of thinking is popular in most places, because assigning blame on the entire nation is convenient, syncs with certain social beliefs and biases, and those who say it seem to always carry an “exemption.”

I’m happy that the story ended the way it did, with social solidarity and sense of community empowering the owner and moving the barangay in the right direction.

The owner’s decision not to press charges is quite understandable, considering the time, expense and stress that would have entailed. The barangay should make sure the employer and the police are informed of the incident, and the record be reflected in official records. More importantly, more steps should be taken to protect communities from thievery and other crimes, and actively pursue malefactors so they would be put on notice that they cannot get away with offenses against pets, properties and persons.

An important takeaway is the role of fellow citizens. I don’t think the pet would have been reunited that fast with its owner, had not for the activism and strong sense of justice of neighbors and fellow citizens. I think this better represents the Filipino people, over the unfair and unfounded generalization that we are a nation of thieves.

With a lot of crimes and suspected hanky-panky happening in our huge country, this sense of indignation and action could go a long way to help solve those problems.

Whether to piece together the life story of a municipal mayor who suspiciously materialized from thin air and with no recollection of her own education, or to find the whereabouts of a religious leader charged with serious sex abuse and trafficking of women and children, among many alleged offenses – the public could play a key role.

Technology tools, online and offline information, witness testimonies, networks of communities and organizations, fact-finding, and our native inclination to do basic sleuthing are all in our personal and collective arsenals.

In such endeavors, it would be made even clearer that gaslighting and victim-blaming may make one popular online or offline but won’t help in any real and meaningful way. Worse, these muddle the waters and only promote cynicism, racism, and impunity.

The good things we do for neighbors and fellow citizens reinforce our bond as citizens and make our country a better place: helping calamity victims, promoting local businesses and startups, sharing verified and verifiable information, championing Filipino artists and athletes, looking into the root causes of our common problems, studying history and science, and helping solve crimes.

(In this Mothers Day weekend, good wishes to mothers everywhere. Peaceful rest to those who have gone ahead, like my Mama and her own Nanay. We also should not forget our own Motherland, the only one we have, especially at this time of troubles and threats to our territory and sovereignty.)