Bacani urges fellow bishops: Speak loudly vs EJKs
In this picture taken on July 8, 2016, police officers investigate the dead body of an alleged drug dealer, his face covered with packing tape and a placard reading “I’m a pusher” on a street in Manila. AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. has called on fellow Filipino Catholic bishops to voice out a strong, collective opposition against extrajudicial killings in the country amid the government’s relentless war on drugs.
Bacani said a more vocal stand from the bishops would also encourage the public to speak up against summary executions.
“Pakiusap ko sa ating mga obispo, magsalita ng sabay-sabay, sama-sama, collectively; hinihintay ko ‘yan, pinu-push ko ‘yan sa mga kakilala ko na magsalita, kasi sasabihin ng mga tao ‘di naman nagsasalita ng sama-sama ang mga obispo. Kinakailangan we have to speak loudly and in a united way laban dito,” Bacani said over church-run Radyo Veritas.
While saying that he supports the administration’s campaign against illegal drug trade, Bacani said suppressing the drug menace should be done in ways that do not trample on morality and the sanctity of human life.
“Sang-ayon tayo sa paglaban sa iligal na droga na talagang malaking salot, pero dapat ito ay ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos,” Bacani said.
“Kahit gaano kaganda ang layunin mo, hindi ka puwede gumamit ng paraan na masama na immoral; hindi lamang pisikal na masama kundi immoral. Alam naman natin ‘di naman nanlalaban, ‘di naman naglalagay sa panganib sa buhay mo tapos papatayin mo ‘yun tao,” he added.
More than 3,000 drug-related deaths have been recorded in the first three months of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. JE
