Bishop Bacani: Drug killings worse than martial law

LAMENTATION A weeping Jennelyn Olaires hugs partner Michael Siaron, 30, a pedicab driver and alleged drug pusher, who was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen near Pasay Rotonda on Edsa. He was one of six killed in drug-related incidents in Pasay and Manila yesterday. RAFFY LERMA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Worse than martial law.

This was how a Catholic Church official depicted the spate of killings under the Duterte administration.

In an interview with Radyo Veritas, Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani lamented that Filipinos may now get used to the summary executions because of their high incidence since President Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into office.

“Kunwari dati ang bati natin ay ‘Mabuhay,’ baka ngayon sa Pilipinas ang ating pagbati ay ‘Mamatay,’ baka ‘yun ang gustong maging bagong pagbati ng mga Pilipino. Sapagkat masyado ng laganap na ever since ng Second World War and ever since martial law palagay ko ay hindi nagkaroon ng ganito karaming pagpatay na nagaganap sa Pilipinas during the time of peace at hindi during war time,” Bacani said.

(The Filipino greeting of “Mabuhay” (long live) may now be replaced by “Mamatay” (die). The killings have become so widespread which I do not think has happened here even during the Second World War and the martial law era, especially because they are taking place at the time of peace and not during war time.)

READ: 1,800 dead in antidrug war not genocide, says Duterte

He also appealed to the conscience of the authorities and other individuals to refrain from killing drug suspects.

“Masyado [nang] napapansin ng mundo hindi lang dapat tayo ang unang pumansin niyan pero nakakalungkot ang mundo mismo ang nagsasabi, ang United Nations… Harinawa ay makonsensya ang mga gumagawa niyan kung sino man sila, makonsensya, sapagkat sabi nga, ‘Huwag kang papatay.’ Maliban lang ‘yung self – defense pero may mga taong hindi nagtatangkang pumatay sa iyo, huwag mo namang basta – basta papatayin,” he said.

(The whole world including the United Nations has taken notice (of the killings). I appeal to the conscience of those behind the executions, as (what the Lord’s command) says, “though shall not kill.” It’s understandable if it’s for self- defense, but if a person is not out to kill you, then do not kill that person just like that.)

Bacani’s statements follow the recent pronouncement of Manila Archbishop Antonio Luis Cardinal Tagle, calling on Filipinos to denounce all forms of killings.

READ: Denounce all forms of killings, Tagle urges

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday said that 895 drug pushers have been killed from July 1 to August 30. Alfred Bayle/IDL

READ: THE KILL LIST

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