CATHOLICISM in the Philippines and some of its leaders have little interest in defending human dignity and against the violations of people’s rights — the same as those Jesus suffered. The shameful silence and inaction encouraged the regime to continue the killings.
The few courageous bishops and priests who protested the violations stood and supported the victims’ families. So-called death squads murdered as many as 30,000 Filipinos. Suspects were tagged and branded as illegal drug users or subversives without evidence or trial and shot dead. Millions of Catholics approved of their silence. It is a dark shadow hanging over the nominally Catholic nation. Did the Church challenge the regime and its leader and hold mass processions to demand an end to the killings?
Pope Francis made the right choice in elevating Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David to the rank of cardinal for his defense of victims of state terror and extrajudicial killings. Such crimes are still being committed. Pope Francis knows it, saying: “[While] many live in wealth, many others see their dignity ignored, despised or trampled on and their most basic rights ignored or violated.”
Pope Francis said his thoughts and acts of support were with those who “are subject to acts of intolerance, discrimination and violence because of their racial, ethnic, national or religious affiliation.” He added that he couldn’t forget the victims of armed conflict “while unscrupulous death merchants are enriched at the price of the blood of their brothers and sisters.”
Human Rights Watch has said the human rights situation in the Philippines remains dire, with extrajudicial killings and attacks on activists and journalists still ongoing. All this while the International Criminal Court is investigating Rodrigo Duterte for the killings in Davao City when he and his associates ruled the city and later when he was president.
I had campaigned against the killing of street children in Davao and was accused of libel, brought to court by the city mayor, but I won the case. Likewise, speaking out and exposing child sexual abuse in Olongapo City resulted in a court case against me at the Bureau of Immigration. I fought back and won that case, too.
We can do our duty, stand against human rights violations and win. The few strong bishops and priests fighting for justice have a faith that will one day move mountains of evil, convinced that truth, goodness, justice, freedom and love of neighbor will overcome evil./PN
