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[av_heading heading=’ ‘Stop wasting human lives’ – Manila Archbishop Tagle ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle sought a halt in illegal drug-related killings, as well as the manufacture and sale of drugs.
In a letter read during a mass on Sunday, Tagle expressed concern on the deaths during “one-time, big-time” drug operations last week.
“We knock on the consciences of those manufacturing and selling illegal drugs to stop it,” Tagle said. “We knock on the consciences of those who kill even the helpless, especially those who cover their faces with bonnets, to stop wasting human lives.”
According to Tagle, the drug problem “should not be reduced to a political or criminal issue.”
“It is a humanitarian concern that affects all of us,” he said. “We all agree that the menace of illegal drugs is real and destructive. We must face and act upon together, as one.”
The police were being criticized for the high number of drug suspects killed in various operations in Bulacan, Manila, Quezon City, Camanava, and Marikina City since Monday last week.
One of the casualties was 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos of Caloocan City. In a security camera footage, the Grade 11 student was seen being dragged by police officers and handed a firearm and shabu.
Tagle also called on those who have recovered from drug addiction to share their stories for the people to understand drug dependents better.
“Families with members who have been destroyed by illegal drugs [or] killed in the drug war, and drug addicts who have recovered must tell their stories of hope,” he said. “Let their stories be told. Let their human faces be revealed.”
“Let us conquer evil with good. Let us save the lives of people most vulnerable to drug dependency – the youth, the poor and unemployed,” Tagle added. “Words of solidarity without tears and acts of compassion are cheap.”/PN
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