NAN-F-11
Killings
Manila, Jan. 18, 2017 (dpa/NAN) A Philippine Catholic Bishop, has called on Filipinos to speak out against the spate of killings under the government’s aggressive campaign against illegal drugs.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo made the call on Wednesday in Manila at an international gathering of bishops, priests and lay people.
He said that 6,000 people had so far been killed.
“That means more than 30,000 directly affected orphaned of their fathers, their brothers their sons and daughters, their husbands.
“If we are true to our call to be a church of the poor, we cannot as a church keep silent on these issues,” he said.
Pabillo, who is also the chairman, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Commission of the Laity, is organising a “Walk for Life” on Feb. 18 to condemn the killings under the drug war.
“I know that people tag me as an activist bishop for speaking out often, but I am not speaking out for myself, but for the poor and voiceless,” he said.
Since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in late June, 2, 256 suspects had died in police operations against drug users and pushers up until January 18.
Thirty-five police officers had also been killed during the same period.
The Police are also investigating nearly 3,000 additional deaths in the first six months of Duterte’s presidency, including possible vigilante killings in connection with the drug war.
Most of the victims of these “deaths under investigation” were found dead in streets and back alleys, many of them bound in tape and with a sign saying, “I am a drug pusher.” (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Archibong Asuquo