Arrest drug traffickers, vigilantes; avoid EJKs

WE, THE members of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, acknowledge our active role as a visible force and prophetic voice in social life, in working for the common good. A role embraced by the Lord Jesus himself when he quoted the prophet Isaiah as he began his ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Luke 4:18–19)

It is this role we exercise when we look around at what has been happening in our country these past two months—a consistent surge in the number of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), now nearing 2,000, and counting, mostly related to the drug problem, some perpetrated in the name of vigilante “justice,” all without warrant of arrest or proof of guilt.

In the midst of this alarming situation, as religious and consecrated persons, we make our stand. We express our full support for the government’s determined crusade against the very serious problem of illegal drugs in our country. We admire the leadership President Duterte has assumed in this campaign and the determination of the people under him in working to rid our society of such menace. The drug menace, indeed, is an intricate web of corruption and patronage that feeds on the insatiable greed and desire of people for money and profit.

Nevertheless, we are alarmed at the continued extrajudicial killings which seem to go unchecked, without trial or investigation.

We are alarmed at the silence of the government, groups, and majority of the people in the face of these killings. Ubi boni tacent malum prosperat. Evil prospers where good men are silent. Is this lack of public outcry a tacit approval of what is happening? Is it fear that prevents people from speaking out? Whatever the reason, this problem, as it remains unchecked, leads to a culture of impunity.

As religious persons consecrated in life, we believe in the sacredness of human life because its Author is God, and no one has the right to take the life of anyone except God. We also believe that in governance, the wheels of justice should be allowed to take their full course, following proper procedure, within the bounds of the law.

We demand that the concerned government agencies continue apprehending those involved in drug trafficking but avoid extrajudicial killings, and pursue and apprehend vigilantes who carry out such illegal actions.

As men and women of consecrated life, we commit ourselves:

1. To recognize the drug problem as a complex and deeply emotional issue that needs to be addressed holistically, with great understanding and compassion for both victim and perpetrator, for the culture of death dehumanizes us all.

2. To call our communities, parishes, apostolates and educational institutions to study, reflect on and act on these unabated killings.

3. To care for the violated, the orphaned and the widowed through counseling, sharing the Word of God and the Gospel values to them.

4. To stand with people of other faiths and beliefs in the inviolability and sacredness of life; in the Year of Mercy, to let our humanity and compassion reach those whose human dignity has been diminished by the evil influence of illegal drugs.

5. To recognize and support the need for reforms in the criminal justice system and the need for the rehabilitation of drug dependents; we need to weed out the corrupt in our security forces, in the prosecution service as well as in the judiciary.

6. To hold Masses and prayer vigils for peace and justice in the affected communities.

7. To let the bells toll in solidarity with the poor and in upholding the sacredness of life.

Pope Francis has repeatedly urged the leaders of the Church to go to the frontiers: “A Church which ‘goes forth’ is a Church whose doors are open.” Through this pastoral statement, we heed the Pope’s word and move to the poor victims in the peripheries.

This piece was signed by Fr. Cielito Almazan, OFM, Sr. Regina Kuizon, RGS, Fr. Eduardo Apungan, CMF, Sr. Julie Saguibo, SFIC, Fr. Paul Anthony Bicomong, SDB, Sr. Niceta Vargas, OSA, Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC, Sr. Marife Leslie Luna, LGC, Fr. Copernicus Perez Jr., CSsR, Sr. Gertrude Neri, TDM, Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, and Sr. Josephine Mata.