Duterte’s war on drugs turned diocese into ‘killing field’ —Caloocan bishop

President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs has turned the diocese of Caloocan into a "killing field", Bishop Virgilio David has said.

An article of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the prelate was "deeply bothered the spate of extrajudicial killings" in the cities under under his pastoral care.

Seventeen-year-old Kian delos Santos was killed in a supposed drug operation in Caloocan City last week.

The other cities in the diocese include Navotas and Malabon.

“To be honest, I have lost count. They are just too many… I have heard it many times during confession, which I cannot disclose to the public,” the bishop was quoted to have said.

“We don’t know who they are. They roam around our streets, especially in informal settler communities almost every night. I don’t know why they are invisible,” he added.

In the report, the prelate addressed that more drug victims were killed in "vigilante-style or unexplained killings" than legitimate police operations.

David also urged those who witnessed the killings to come forward with vital information as individuals had for Kian's case.

“We plead with them to please come out. But can I blame them if they are not willing to because of fear for their lives? But now, I am happy that at least there is one case where the witness are testifying,” he said.

On Sunday, churches were asked to ring their bells every evening at 8 p.m. by CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who reminded authorities that killing is a sin that is against the law.

David will assume the post as CBCP vice president in December. —Margaret Claire NB, GMA News