CBCP backs 2 archdioceses’ protests against EJK
The social action arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines supports the “silent protest” held by two archdioceses against the spate of extrajudicial killings in the country.
The National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (Nassa) also urged other dioceses to replicate the silent protests conducted by the archdioceses of Jaro and Nueva Segovia.
Nassa executive secretary Fr. Edwin Gariquez said they were supporting the activities held by the Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo and the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia in Ilocos Sur.
“Killing of drug traffickers without due process, even in the name of a just cause, is morally unacceptable,” Gariguez said in a statement.
He added that while they were supportive of the government’s antidrug campaign, “the method being used is unjustifiable.”
What is alarming, Gariguez stressed, is that the poor are most vulnerable to the loss of life, as well as the destruction, violation and suppression of their rights.
It may be recalled that the Archdiocese of Jaro conducted silent protests by having at least 97 parishes put up streamers urging respect for life and an end to the killings.
In a related development, the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia also held similar actions in Ilocos Sur to condemn the extrajudicial killings.
“We support and encourage all forms of campaigns by the dioceses to stop the extrajudicial killings and other morally unacceptable acts of the government,” Gariquez said.
Since President Duterte assumed his post in July, nearly 6,000 people have been killed in legitimate police operations and summary executions amid the government’s Oplan Tokhang.
Gariguez noted that majority of those killed were poor people in slum areas.
“President Duterte’s claim of ensuring and protecting those who have less in life becomes merely a lip service should the state continue to violate and disregard the rights of the poor,” he said.
The Nassa is composed of all social action centers in 85 archdioceses and dioceses.
