ASIA/PHILIPPINES - The Director of the PMS: "In the campaign of summary justice there are innocent victims"

Monday, 19 September 2016 drugs   justice   politics   violence  

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Manila (Agenzia Fides) - "In the campaign of summary justice there are innocent victims: many are killed on the basis of mere suspicion, without verifying the allegations in court. This aspect alarms the Church and was recently reaffirmed by the Bishops": says to Agenzia Fides Fr. Socrates Mesiona, a priest who lives in Manila, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Philippines. "Every day, here in Manila, we hear of people killed on the basis of suspicion or sudden police raid. The Bishops expressed their concern: there are more than 3,500 victims of summary executions", notes the Director of the PMS.
"Drug use is a serious scourge that plagues the nation, but what we ask is that the matter is to be handled with the rule of law and with respect regarding the life of every citizen", said Fr. Mesiona. "This could be a point of friction between the Church and President Duterte, but we hope that the situation leads to the 'vigil collaboration' of the Church with political authorities", he notes.
"Many Catholic institutions are actively involved in assisting addicts in their rehabilitation to quit addiction. We hope this commitment continues: the Church in this way does its part, placing itself at the service of the weak and vulnerable", he concludes.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Episcopal Conference of the Philippines in recent days issued a message asking the police authorities to ensure respect for human rights and human dignity, in the fight against drug trafficking. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/09/2016)


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