‘No victors in war against drugs’

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the Philippine Catholic Church to remain unwavering in its advocacy of human rights amid the mounting body count in the administration’s relentless bloody war against illegal drugs.

Recalling the Church’s role in toppling the Marcos dictatorship, CHR chairperson Jose Luis “Chito” Gascon called on the faithful to actively promote the sanctity of life amid the spate of what are perceived to be extrajudicial killings.

“Noong panahon ng [diktadura], malaki ‘yung papel na ginampanan ng Simbahan, at mukhang sa kasalukuyang panahon na may ganitong malaking pagsubok, may panawagan muli sa Simbahan—hindi lamang po sa mga pari, madre at Obispo pero maging sa mga taong Simbahan—na manindigan para sa mga prinsipyo ng Kristiyanismo, partikular ‘yung prinsipyo ng pangangalaga at pagpapahalaga sa buhay,” Gascon said over church-run Radyo Veritas.

“Ibig sabihin may active citizenship muli ang ating mga alagad ng Simbahang Katolika,” he added.

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, PNP chief Ronald de la Rosa said there had been 1,067 killings by unidentified individuals and 712 killings by police since July 1, when President Rodrigo Duterte took office. The Inquirer’s “Kill List” notes 729 drug-related deaths from June 30 to August 22.

Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton Pascual said “all are victims” in the war on drugs, noting that the government’s drive would be successful only through a “radical change of heart” on the part of authorities.

Pascual called on President Duterte to put an end to the bloody anti-crime drive before it goes out of control and to ensure that the rule of law and due process will be followed in any police operation.

“In every war, even war on illegal drugs, there are no victors, all are victims… What we need is a radical change of heart and the political will of government to enforce the rule of law,” he said.

“In the principle of Christian stewardship, our life is not ours but God’s. To take human life for whatever reason is not for us to decide. Absolutely no to all extra-judicial killings,” Pascual added.

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