Image from dutertecayetano.com - Church to mark “Huwag Kang Papatay” campaign in response to spate of drug-related killings
- Official said killings targeting only the poor, deprives them of a chance to reform
- He is calling on the president to put an end to the killings
MANILA, Philippines – Denouncing the spate drug-related killings, the Catholic Church announced the start of its “Huwag Kang Papatay” (Thou Shall Not Kill) campaign by holding a Mass for the victims of extrajudicial executions.
According to Fr. Atilano Fajardo, the killings have deprived those suspected of using and peddling drugs a chance to reform themselves.
“We believe, especially in the Year of Mercy, that we have a chance of showing our love of God. But because of this there’s no more love because there’s no more life who will ask for forgiveness and mercy,” the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted him as saying.
“We denounce the extrajudicial killings happening in the country, done by men in uniform, by vigilantes and other groups … under the baton of the maestro. We uphold due process of law and the dignity of human life,” he added.
The Mass will be held on Monday afternoon the same time Duterte will give his first State of the Nation Address. Churchgoers who will attend are encouraged to wear black.
According to Fajardo, they are inviting the families of the slain suspects and opponents of the killings to attend.
“There will be talks and forums on the Sixth Commandment and how extrajudicial killings are becoming the new normal. We are consolidating all those against extrajudicial killings,” he said.
While majority of the public have applauded the ongoing police operations which have yielded tens of thousands of surrenderees and hundreds of suspect deaths, some have also denounced the campaign as “anti-poor”.
Others also fear drug suspects who may turn out to be innocent civilians will be killed without due process.
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