Bishop Antonio Tobias of Novaliches shares a light moment with Police Senior Superintendent Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar during the anti-illegal drugs summit in Quezon City on Sept. 9. (Photo by Mark Saludes)
A Catholic bishop in Manila has taken a step forward to lessen the growing number of casualties in the Philippine government's anti-narcotics war.
The prelate, along with civil society and church groups gathered for a meeting on Sept. 9 with government officials to map out a "unified, concrete, and humane" response to the war against illegal drugs.
"It is important to have concrete actions to address the drug problems of this country," said Bishop Antonio Tobias of Novaliches.
Bishop Tobias ordered the 45 parishes in his diocese to form a team to assist drug addicts who will surrender to the police.
On Sept. 1, the Novaliches Diocese inaugurated a rehabilitation center at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
"[We] cannot ignore the unceasing deaths of suspected criminals in legitimate police operations and summary executions," said parish priest Luciano Felloni.
Some 2,500 suspected drug users and peddlers have been killed since the government launched its "all-out war" against illegal drugs on July 1.
At least 20 drug offenders have already surrendered to Felloni and volunteered for rehabilitation.
"It is not enough to complain against the killings. We should provide concrete actions and make the government understand that we are not against the war on drugs but against the killings," said Father Felloni.
Police Senior Superintendent Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said, "it is good to know" that the church is supporting the government's campaign against the illegal drug trade.
"This effort of the church to open its doors will keep people who need rehabilitation and care out of reach of masked vigilantes who are taking advantage of the government campaign," said Eleazar.
More church properties in Novaliches Diocese are to be inaugurated as rehabilitation centers for drug dependents in coming weeks.
Father Antonio Labiao, head of the diocese' pastoral office, said a six-month detoxification program will be offered to "mild drug users" who will be treated as out-patients.
"What we want to say is that our enemy is not each other but drugs," said the priest.
Some 700,000 drug users and peddlers have already surrendered to authorities since the launch of the anti-illegal drugs campaign.
The Philippines has less than 50 drug rehabilitation centers that can serve only a few hundred clients.