PH gov't, ICC must pursue justice for murders —Archbishop Soc Villegas

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Wednesday urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Philippine government to pursue justice and hold accountable those responsible for the crimes, as the country marked the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution.

During the Eucharistic celebration at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA (EDSA Shrine), Villegas described the country’s justice system as “defective” and “not ideal.”

“ICC of the Hague, kayo naman (It’s your turn). Bring to justice the murderers of drug users who also murdered our national virtues and values. Help us restore justice and order in this land that has lost its virtues,” Villegas said during his homily.

“ICI, kayo naman. Sana more. Inip na kami (Independent Commission for Infrastructure, It’s your turn. We’re expecting more. We’re losing patience),” he added.

He also called out government officials who blocked impeachment proceedings, echoed China's propaganda, and told them to resign.

“Mga chinador, mga hindi alam ang ibig sabihin ng forthwith, at pinipigil ang impeachment process, kayo naman. Kayo naman ang mag-resign,” Villegas said.

“Tulad ng mag-resign ng EDSA II. Ginahawa sa bayan kung walang tulad ninyo sa gobyerno,” he added.

(The Chinadors, those who do not know the meaning of forthwith, and are obstructing the impeachment process, it's your turn to resign. Like the one who resigned during the EDSA II, the country would be relieved if there is no one like you in government.)

He also condemned some Filipinos for justifying killings during the controversial war on drugs of the Duterte administration

“Before the jailed man of the Hague became president, didn't we know right from wrong?” Villegas said. “Yet, we justified addict murders, vulgar jokes, blasphemy was tolerable, due process disposable, an island built up by China as necessary to prevent war.”

“What happened? Charisma eclipsed conscience. This was not EDSA. Nakakahiya, nakakasuka, nakapagtaka, bakit tayo nagkaganyan? That kind of leadership must not be given another chance in this country,” he added.

(What happened? Charisma eclipsed conscience. This was not EDSA. It’s shameful, disgusting, and questionable. How did we end up like this? That kind of leadership must not be given another chance in this country.)

Villegas' homily discussed the events that transpired in the past four decades after the People Power Revolution in 1986.

New saints of EDSA

He urged the youth to be the “new saints of EDSA” and think critically when choosing leaders.

“Matatandaan na kami tumindig dito sa EDSA. [M]ga kabataan, kayo naman. The torch passes. Rise as true patriots,” Villegas said.

“Evaluate leaders by defense of life and justice and integrity, not fleeting trends,” he added.

Villegas became the rector of EDSA Shrine when it was established in December 1989.

Speak out

During the Eucharistic celebration at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA (EDSA Shrine), Rector Fr. Jerome Secillano said Filipinos are well-informed and brave for speaking out the truth.

“Napakahalaga po na kayo ay magkaroon ng sigalot sa mga tao na nandarambung o di kaya gumagawa ng katiwalian sa ating gobyerno o sa lipunan,” Secillano said during the concluding rites.

(It is very important to take a stand against people who steal or commit corruption in our government or in society.)

“Tama lamang na tayo ay magparinig, tayo ay magpahayag ng mga katotohanan ito upang malaman nila na tayo ay may alam, tayo ay may pakialam, at tayo ay kikilos sa mga darating na araw,” he added.

(It is only right that we express ourselves and speak these truths so that they will know that we are aware, that we care, and that we will take action in the coming days.)

 

 

Secillano also pointed out that speaking out for justice is not a form of playing politics, but a formation of conscience.

“Politicians are not the savior of the world. Politicians are not the savior of our country. Politicians for that matter will not save you from poverty,” Secillano said.

He also urged Filipinos to work together in committing kindness to achieve justice and the common good.

Never forget

In an interview with GMA News Online, Sr. Malou Camacho of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul said Filipinos should never forget the EDSA People Power since it was a fight for justice and truth and for the poor.

“What we should never forget as Filipinos is yung laban natin for justice, for truth and to fight for the poor. Wag natin kalimutan ano ang pinakatotoo na EDSA Revolution,” Camacho said.

(As Filipinos, we should not forget the fight for justice and truth and the fight for the poor. Let us not forget the real events in EDSA revolution.)

 

 

Sharing her experience during the EDSA People Power Revolution, Camacho said one of the unforgettable moments was when Cardinal Jaime Sin invited Filipinos, including religious people, to join the historic event in 1986.

“What I really appreciated, you will never forget, is the praying of the rosary. We remember how Cardinal [Jaime] Sin invited all of us, even the sisters who are in the convent, to go out and to be with the people. Because of the rosary and roses, those soldiers converted to join us,” she said.

Witness

Meanwhile, 47-year-old Robert Perez shared that the events during the EDSA People Power Revolution remain vivid in his memory.

“Nung seven years old ako, napapanood ko lang siya sa TV, then nung napunta na ako sa Manila, nakikita ko na siya ng aktwal at isa rin ako sa nakikipaglaban para makamit ang hustisya ng ating bansa,” Perez told GMA News Online.

(I witnessed it when I was seven years old on television, and then I also witnessed it when I moved to Manila. I’m one of the people who is fighting to attain justice for our country.)

For 22-year-old Andrei Totanes, commemorating the EDSA People Power Revolution means strengthening the democracy that it gifted.

 

 

“Sa democracy, nagkakaroon ng peace at natutunan natin what is love, hope, at freedom (In democracy, we have peace and learn what is love, hope, and freedom),” he said.

Spanning four days, from February 22 to 25, the EDSA People Power Revolution ended the two-decade regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.—LDF, GMA Integrated News