BuyBust: In Pursuit of TruthβWhatβs the Solution to a World Lost in Addiction?
Written by: Christian Jeremias
April 03, 2025
The life given to us by God should be valued and cared for, not just for ourselves but also for others. But are you ready to kill in a situation where you are pushed to believe this is the only solution? Can you fight addiction the right way when those who should be helping you are also the reason you ended up on a path where violence seems to be the only solution to set things right? Is it still possible to solve this kind of problem? And what if the problem isn't just about drugs but also about those behind it?
One of the huge problems in our country is illegal drugs because of their significant negative impact on our society; many lives are lost and destroyed. A story that will awaken us to the possibility that what is supposed to protect us might be the cause of our downfall.
Courtesy: IMDb
There are a lot of movies that draw inspiration from real-life events, using them as a lens to explore complex societal issues such as the use of illegal drugs. One such film is BuyBust, a 2018 Philippine action thriller film co-written and directed by Erik Matti.
The ideal action thriller "BuyBust" brings out inspiration from actual narcotics enforcement operations as well as the facts of the Philippine drug war.
This is the story of how Nina Manigan (Anne Curtis) faced her challenges as a member of the elite anti-narcotics unit. Characters underwent a significant transformation from idealistic police officers to awakening to the brutal reality of the system. She believed she could fight drugs the right way, but as time went on, she learned that the system itself was rotten.
A system where the enemy is not just drugs.
Courtesy: IMDb
The war on drugs is not just a battle between the police and criminals but a complex system that involves corruption, violence, and abuse. In this movie, it was shown that some members of the police not only fight against criminals but are also accomplices of drug syndicates. This shows the reality that the justice system is often tainted by corruption. The ordinary citizen is the true victim of the war on drugs. They are caught in the crossfire and lose protection from the government.
Stand firm and uphold dignity despite adversity.
Courtesy: IMDb
Filipinos should not be blind to what is truly happening in our society. We should not accept all information without critical examination and questioning whether the policies are truly just or merely used to suppress those at the margins of society. The dark truth of the war on drugs is that it is not just a battle between good and evil but a complex system of corruption, poverty, and abuse.
Instead of protecting the citizens, there are government officials and police who use their positions for personal gain. The fight against drugs often becomes a game of power and money instead of a true cleansing of society.
Raise awareness about the flawed systems we are experiencing.
Courtesy: IMDb
Courtesy: IMDb
Can we also fight and correct the wrong if we know that there is a great enemy and our lives could be the price? In the end, Nina Manigan showed that she was a survivor who was not afraid to face the truth, no matter how painful it was. A courage that can give its life to end the wrong and restore dignity, as long as you do not fight, those addicted to all bad things will continue their work.
Courtesy: IMDb
BuyBust is a mirror of reality in the Philippines. It shows that as long as there is corruption, abuse, and poverty, the war on drugs will not be successful. It aims to encourage Filipinos to be aware, ask questions, and fight for true justice in our country.
The addiction to power and money is the beginning of the evil that will destroy our lives and our society. Truly addictive when excessive, a problem that is extremely difficult to solve in our society and even within ourselves. Maybe you are one of the solutions to stop the wrong resolution. As long as no one corrects the wrong, it will remain right. "I don't care if you're a cop, a politician, or a god; you're going to jail." - Nina Manigan.