At WACOM, bishops urge public to speak out vs. drug-related killings

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Tuesday spoke out against extrajudicial killings being linked to the government's war on drugs during his speech in the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM) held at the University of Santo Tomas.

"I have to defend their rights," Bishop Pabillo said, referring to the over 6,000 drug suspects killed under the Duterte administration. "For me, it is not an insult to be tagged and identified with the poor and oppressed. It is what I am supposed to be — to be the follower of Christ."

Admitting that he's been tagged as an activist for openly expressing his political views, Pabillo urged the public to break its silence on the subject of drug-related killings.

"Can we now keep our mouths shut when more than 6,000 of our poor people are being killed on the mere pretext of drug trafficking?" he asked.

"To speak out for the poor is not just a decision to open one's mouth but a decision to listen to them," Pabillo added.

He was not the only one who spoke out against drug-related killings during the event. Cotabato Archibishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo also commented on the lack of public outcry, blaming it to the "dichotomy" of faith and life in people.

"Dichotomy is split level Christianity. I think the approval of many despite the extrajudicial killings is a symptom of that spirit-level spirituality," he said.

He said although he admires President Rodrigo Duterte's determination to end criminality in the country, he decries the lack of due process being afforded to suspected drug offenders.

Other priests also agreed with Bishop Pabillo as they noted that helping others is the main teaching of Jesus Christ.

"Turo naman ni Jesus sa atin na nagpunta siya dito para tayo'y mabuhay at hindi mamatay." Fr. Nick Lalog, Diocese of Malolos said.

The Manila archdiocese has previously launched a campaign against the government's violent campaign against illegal drugs through "Huwag kang papatay" banners that were strategically placed in churches.

Malacañang has yet to comment on the bishops' statement but Duterte had previously lambasted Catholic church officials for their criticism on his administration's war on illegal drugs. —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/KBK, GMA News