Cleric: Violence not a means for good

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the continuing anti-drug crusade of the present administration, the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu echoed the call of the Catholic Church that people, especially authorities, must never use violence as means to do something good.

“If we want to do good, we also have to make sure that our approach is something ethically acceptable,” said Monsignor Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese.

He clarified, though, that the Church is not leaning towards criminal offenders.

“We are not saying this that we are more compassionate to the criminals than to the victims. For us, we have to avoid further complications since we always subscribe to the principle that the ends will not justify the means,” Tan said.

While he welcomes the decrease in the crime rate in Central Visayas, Tan said, “chances are it has happened that way because the drug issue here has been addressed for the first time.”

Alongside this report, police records also revealed that homicide cases, mostly drug-related, had increased.

“Kahibalo ko nga sayon ra kaayo para sa kadaghanan nga moingon nga ngano man gyud nga mobati ta anang mga gipamatay nga kriminal uy nga mga bati man sila nga element sa katilingban,” he said.

Life, even if it belongs to suspected criminals, “is equally sacred,” he said.

“We have to have answers to the question kinsa man ang hinungdan aning mga nangamatay nga nikuyanap lang og kalit? We counted over thousands of unexplained deaths… let us not wait that this will reach 10,000 incidents,” he said.

The Senate inquiry into the extrajudicial killings is headed by newly elected senator and former Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima who has been tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as being linked to illegal drug trafficking.

“I am not just speaking of the case of De Lima, but it can apply to any situation. Always, if there are questions even if not proven of a certain capacity or credibility of a certain individual to be involved in investigation related to the matter of which the person is allegedly involved, it will always be nice that there will be discretion to withdraw to avoid resemblance that may impede on procedures of the justice system,” Tan explained.

Crusade

Meanwhile, the Alternative Law Groups, Inc. has launched what it calls the “Hustisya Natin” campaign, which envisions the enhancement of the integrity of the justice system through increased accountability and transparency and improved performance of judicial and quasi-judicial bodies.

The group said human rights and due process must be upheld in the continuing anti-drug and anti-crime campaign of the Duterte administration

Cebu is among the 10 pilot areas identified in the formation of local or regional networks, said lawyer Joan Saniel-Amit, executive director of Children’s Legal Bureau, during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

 CLB is among the members of ALG.

Amit said they will work with human rights defenders, the media and the academe.

They project covers lawyers, lawyer’s groups, legal non-government organizations, and litigants, as well as justices, judges, quasi-judicial adjudicators, prosecutors, public attorney’s and their staff,

 Amit said the project benefits litigants in general, especially members of vulnerable groups, who demand the improved services of courts and quasi-judicial bodies to address their justice issues.

Lawyer Marlon Manuel, ALG national coordinator, said citizens’ active involvement in monitoring the judiciary is much needed, especially at this time when the justice system is “on trial”.

 “With the rise and vigilantism, reported incidents of rights violations and short cuts in law enforcement, and persistent calls to restore the death penalty and to imprison even young children in conflict with the law, the ability of the justice system to effectively, and expeditiously, deliver justice has become a critical concern,” Manuel said in a statement. (FREEMAN)