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Church groups campaign against summary executions

Philippine bishop estimates about 500 people have been slain in Duterte's war on drugs
Church groups campaign against summary executions

Church groups hold a Mass for victims of summary executions during he launch of the 'Thou Shall Not Kill' campaign in Manila on July 25. (Photo by Angie de Silva)

Published: July 27, 2016 08:01 AM GMT
Updated: July 27, 2016 08:02 AM GMT

Church groups in the Philippines have launched a campaign against a growing number of "summary executions" amid the government's "all-out war" against illegal drugs.

"Extra-judicial killing is against the law. That's a crime and we cannot fight crime by committing another crime," Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila said July 25 at the launch of the "Thou Shall Not Kill" campaign.

The prelate estimated that about 500 suspected drug users and dealers have been killed since May when President Rodrigo Duterte, dubbed "The Punisher" for his war on drugs, was elected into office.

The government crackdown has claimed the lives of some 293 suspected users and pushers in police operations between July 1 and July 24, according to the police.

The figure does not include alleged drug dealers killed by vigilante groups.

Church leaders said authorities should also go after the vigilante groups to give justice to the victims of summary executions.

"We have forgotten that all these victims are actually people who have souls," said Father Atilano Fajardo of Manila Archdiocese's public affairs office.

 

Compassion for the poor

The ecumenical group Promotion of Church People's Response appealed to the government to deal with "small-time and usually poor, drug addicts and pushers with compassion."

"If these urban poor were given adequate opportunities for decent employment and job security, we have hope that they would be able to redeem themselves," said Nardy Sabino, spokesman of the group.

"We challenge the president to lead his government on a road towards justice and peace, where the lives of the downtrodden are given priority," Sabino told ucanews.com.

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice also expressed alarm that the war on drugs has already claimed some 500 lives "without the benefit of due process."

Ian Rivera, national coordinator of the movement, said that while his group welcome "positive policies" of the government "we will be vigilant and relentless in challenging [Duterte] to pursue genuine change that will truly benefit the people."

 

Values formation to fight drugs

Bishop Pabillo said that while Catholic Church leaders support the government's campaign against illegal drugs, they stand firm against waging a "bloody campaign and promoting a culture of killing."  

"The alternative solution is values formation, especially among the most affected sectors of society," said the prelate.

"While we form conscience, which is the main role of the church, the government must address poverty, which is the root cause that drives poor people to engage in unlawful acts," said Bishop Pabillo.

In a statement, the Commission on Social Mission Apostolate of the Redemptorist congregation in Manila said Duterte's war on drugs is a "splendid idea and prophetically correct in terms of exposing wrongdoing."

The congregation, however, said a "capital punishment meted on a person before a conviction of guilt beyond reasonable doubt is utterly unjust."

Manila Archdiocese has called on families of the victims of the killings to seek assistance from their parishes. "If you need help, just approach us," said Bishop Pabillo.

He also urged Catholics to take part on the "rebuilding of respect and dignity of human life" by helping church-run drug rehabilitation centers.

He said these centers need help delivering services, especially to the poor.

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