Bro. Eddie Villanueva. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
BOCAUE, BULACAN—Evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva on Saturday expressed concern about drug-related killings, during a surprise birthday party organized by his children, led by Sen. Joel Villanueva.
The leader of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church said he still supports President Duterte.
But Villanueva said too many drug suspects have been killed in police operations, and urged law enforcers not to take advantage of the President’s popularity by murdering criminals.
“Criminals who are not given the chance to repent go straight to hell and that should not be the case,” said the 70-year-old evangelist, who ran and lost in the 2004 and 2010 presidential elections.
“Of course, I still support our President 100 percent. I still believe in him… But we must pray also [that] law enforcers would not take the law into their own hands,” he said.
“There are cases where people who are just suspects are killed in their homes, in what may not be a police operation,” he said.
“Every Filipino should pray for the President and all those in power to have love of God, love of the country and fear of God,” the JIL leader said.
“The success of the President will be the success of the Filipino people, his failure will be the failure of the people,” he added.
Before the May 9 elections, Villanueva was asked by vice presidential candidate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, to pray for then Davao City Mayor Duterte.
“I have prayed for other presidential candidates before, but I [chose Duterte] and asked the Lord, ‘If he really is your choice …[then let this bring] knowledge and wisdom in managing the affairs of the nation,” he said.