Archbishop Socrates Villegas Catholic bishops in the Philippines are to undertake a ‘walk for life’ this February 18 to demonstrate their opposition to the multitude of deaths resulting from President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs over recent months. At least 7,000 people have died in shootings linked to the police or vigilant gangs since Mr Duterte called for the killing of dealers.
Following sermons nationwide from pulpits against the “reign of terror” brought about by the violent tactics employed against alleged drug dealers by police at the behest of Mr Duterte, bishops have invited ordinary citizens to walk with them in a display of opposition.
Dead bodies
“Let us fill our streets not with blood, not with dead bodies but with prayer,” said conference present Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan. He called on all to “stand up for life”.
“Is it God’s will that blood be on our streets? Is it God’s will that dead bodies of our brothers and sisters be found on our sidewalks?” he asked.