Soledad Soleman's Ethical Analysis

Soledad Soleman (Sol) was twelve years old when she became aware of her parents’ occupations. It was at a dinner gathering of two of her school teachers and three of her parents’ business colleagues, including her uncle Gianni. “I wonder what the kid knows. If you knew that your parents sold arms that prop up your country’s military dictatorship, what would you do?” she overheard one of her teachers asked. “…[I]t’s an interesting ethical question. To have blood on your hands, without having done a single thing,” her other teacher replied.

Soledad Soleman was scheduled to attend a college in the United States of America. However, due to some unforeseen health problems, her plans were postponed. She – instead – attended a college in the Philippines,

Then Jed took something from his pocket.

He showed it to the man.

He took Jed’s ID and peered at it with a flashlight. Even the cop’s finger, piggy and beringed, looked somehow consequential. His flashlight shifted, from Jed’s ID to Jed’s face, looking up at Jed’s foreigner’s mask, bloodless in the searchlight except for the scarlet darkness of his mouth. I was surprised by the man’s gestures. The policeman saluted Jed. “Sorry sir,” he said. “Mr. Morgan, sir. May I escort you home?” No,” said Jed. “I have a car. Come.” Jed turned to me; “Let’s go....” (pg. 74).

As a wealthy family, Sol and her parents attended events that are exclusive to the privileged. At one of the events they that they attended, Sol met Colonel Grier, a high-ranking officer for LOTUS (the American military group in the Philippines). Sol is an intelligent young lady with a great interest for the subject of history. At this even Sol had made an impression on Colonel Grier as he is a coin collector, which can be perceived as a symbol of

Blood on his slack chin attracted flies and dust. There was no doubt about it. I trudge back to the apartment. I made a call, an extra errand, my last words. Colonel Grier – he was dead.” (pg. 244).

Sol’s parents had known about the stolen guns through Manong Babe, Sol’s driver, the one who often drove her to meet Jed. Uncle Gianni realized what they had planned and had made the decision for her parents, and the rest of their colleagues, to ignore the robbery; after all, Colonel Grier was an obstacle to their future business endeavors. The revolution had used Sol as a tool to acquire the weapons they needed, and Uncle Gianni had used them in return to get rid of the person that was perceived as a treat to their business;

“But Soli… [they] need justice.” Said my mother, murmuring. “They need suspects. They need Soli. She’s obvious. So Perfect. Don’t you see? Because even the police – even the police are confused. Because, inday,” she whispered, as if she could barely speak it, “even the police keep confusing you names.” (pg.