Church in Albay calls on faithful to join prayer-rally for human rights

GUINOBATAN, Albay—The head of the Diocese of Legazpi, Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, called on Albayanos Wednesday to join their prayer-rally, Mass, and candle-lighting at Legazpi City’s Peñaranda Park on the eve of International Day of Human Rights on Friday.

Baylon, in an invitation via Facebook, said the event aims to “spread the message of hope and life amidst the growing culture of hate, killings, and human rights violations” in the country, citing the growing number of deaths in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, the Congress’ intent to reinstate capital punishment, and the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility. The prayer-rally will start at 3 p.m.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro are seeking to lower the age of criminal responsibility from the age of 15 to nine.

“The assault from various fronts against human rights these days is alarming,” Baylon said. “We have started our Prayer at Nine Movement to ask God for comfort and protection amidst the brutal acts of terror, violence, and death; and to open our hearts to hope so we may resolutely walk along the path of true justice, mercy, and peace.”