Catholic church leaders and human rights advocates called on the government to respect life and stop the “extra judicial killings” in celebration of the International Human rights Day today. (Sunday Dec. 10).
Caloocan Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iñiguez led the launching of “Kilusang Artikulo 13” to call on the government to respect life and human rights.
In a statement, the retired bishop expressed fears that the revival of Philippine National Police role in war against illegal drugs would increase abuses and killings.
“One life lost is one life too many. This enraging ‘War on the Poor’ has claimed the lives of 13,000 people, including some 50 children and youth,” he said
Iñiguez said that government leaders should not slaughter the Filipino or feed them to the wolves but help them.
“Everyone deserves due process, even the most ruthless of criminals,” the bishop said and raised fear that the government’s termination of the peace process with the communists would increase the death toll of the deadly anti-illegal drug campaign.