Last night, I saw the news. Four people were killed in another shootout, this time, in Tanauan, Batangas. These men were believed to be or are suspects, so they say, of the RCBC bank robbery massacre in Cabuyao, Laguna where 10 people were mercilessly murdered. Now, I’m not saying that this right or wrong. It’s just that somehow I think the police aren’t doing their operations as covert and as tactically as they should. I mean, think of this: You raid a house of a suspected robber and expect to be treated to dinner? Obviously, if there was any truth to your accusations as evidenced by initial investigations, it is only normal to expect hostility from the suspected party. So, if these guys from the police actually know how to deal with this properly, shootouts would be prevented. I understand that we all want a speedy delivery of justice. But if you keep on shooting people (although inevitable in a shootout), how can you possibly say that justice has been served when the people can’t even talk to spill stories that would shed further light and understanding regarding the incident? Now, I wouldn’t want to think that the police are looking for a “fall guy” or “fall guys” as that. I know that the PNP can really deliver sometimes, if not most of the time. But the incidents of shootouts only add to the death toll of violence. I don’t know what sort of strategy they should employ, but I’m sure there are other ways of “getting” the suspects aside from getting them dead in body bags. And let us also not forget, that these people, however evil they may be, are just like many of us — they have families as well. And for all we know, their families may not even have an inkling as to the extra-curricular activities of their family members, thus, they too are victims. They will mourn as well. Now, if there’s ever a good reason for the US Military to visit us, I guess giving the police a training on how to properly conduct an “extraction” in the least violent way possible is what they should do and what we should request. Many times have we seen such scenario in the Philippines. The police can’t properly handle a hostage scenario. Remember the boy who was taken as hostage in a bus terminal somewhere in Manila years back? I’m sure you do. I had nightmares after seeing the footage in the news. Clearly, something has to be done differently. Peace and order can only be achieved if our main goal is to save people’s lives, no matter how good or evil they may be. After all, we are not God.
4 responses to “A Tooth for a Tooth, An Eye for An Eye?”
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you’re absolutely right! we really need to change our police system. its sad to know that the very people we depend on to protect us, are the very same ones who are a threat to us.tsk, tsk, only in the pilipins.hey, mind if we xchange links?abbyhttp://seaprincess72.wordpress.com
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hi there abby! :) you’re absolutely right. only here in the philippines..have added your blog to my “partner blogs” link..will add this to my http://adayinthelifeofrj.com blog as well.. pls add both sites to your as well.. thanks.. will visit your site again.. :) cheers!
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Only in the Philippines, I’m afraid.
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hi there 4ever7! :) very true. i doubt that this will ever change in the near future..we have a long way to go, i suppose. thanks for sharing your thoughts.. :)
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● About Me
I’m RJ Marmol — writer, musician, and independent creator based in Manila.
I write songs, essays, and books about the messy overlap between money, overwhelm, creativity, identity, and rebuilding. Much of my work circles around what happens when life stops feeling manageable — and how we try to think clearly, make decisions, and keep moving anyway.
I’m also the author of Rebuilding Under Debt: Thinking Clearly When Everything Is a Blur, a nonfiction book published under Steady Hand Press. The paperback edition is listed under my full publishing name, Cecilia Regina Aquino Blanquera.
On the music side, I release work as HeyRJ. On the writing side, this site is where I gather my books, essays, notes, and whatever I’m building next.
Music
HeyRJ is my sonic soul project. I create raw, minimalist-style and deeply personal music interpretations that feel like a late-night conversation with your truest self.
By blending lo-fi acoustic textures with poetic honesty, my work explores love, loss, grief, healing, and the quiet in-betweens of life. Each song is a letter — a journal entry — a gentle companion for when the world feels too loud or too quiet.
While my catalogue began with intimate cover renditions, my work is increasingly being shaped by original writing, drawing from years of poems, lived questions, and emotional survival.
“Stuck Home Syndrome” released on March 20, 2026 is my first original 20-track album written during a period when time felt compressed and days began to blur into each other. The songs came from sitting with thoughts that had nowhere else to go — unfiltered, repetitive, and sometimes uncomfortable. It’s a concept album that isn’t built around singles or polish. It’s closer to a continuous inner monologue, recorded with minimal production and very little ornamentation and meant to be listened to as one cohesive body of work. The goal wasn’t to resolve anything, only to document how it felt while it was happening.
On May 29, 2026 I released new original singles – “Rapturous”, “Uh Huh”, “Look At You”, “All That” and “Blew Print”. I continue to release both original and cover songs and intend to so for as long as I can so check back every once in a while — you might. just find something you’ll like.
For business inquiries relating to music, email me at: heyrjmusic[at]gmail[dot]com or my personal email at: rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com.
Books
Rebuilding Under Debt: Thinking Clearly When Everything Is a Blur
A nonfiction book about what debt does to the mind — and how to begin functioning again when financial stress has made everything feel blurred, urgent, and overwhelming.
Rather than treating debt only as a financial math problem, the book explores the emotional and cognitive realities of financial distress: shame, decision fatigue, avoidance, panic, relationship strain, and the difficulty of making sound decisions while mentally depleted.
Published under Steady Hand Press. It’s available worldwide in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon. Bookstores and libraries can also be order it wholesale via Ingram.
Contact
For book-related inquiries, media requests, bookstore questions, or discussion-group invitations, you can reach me through the contact page on this site or send me an email to rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com or hello[at]steadyhandpress.com
RJMarmol.com - Since 2008. 
Let me know what you think… :)