‘Witnesses of extrajudicial killings can run to Church’

MANILA, Philippines - Some Catholic bishops might offer asylum to witnesses of extrajudicial killings.

Catholic parishes are offering this kind of sanctuary, which the Church has been doing for a long time, according to retired Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Oscar Cruz. 

“In cases when there are persecuted individuals, they would run to the Church for safety,” he said.

“In the past, they do not invade the Church so they are safe there and this is still being done up to now.  

“What I am saying is it is a common practice, a common observance, it has very long history – the Church observance of trying to protect and take care of people whose life is under threat.” 

Cruz said it is the moral obligation of the Catholic Church to help others.

“It is along the principle of ‘love your neighbor’ as far as the Church is concerned,” he said, adding the ones seeking asylum want to escape hunters who have all the resources.

“They have all the arms etc. and the assumption is the asylum seekers are helpless. So understandably the church comes in to help the helpless.” 

Cruz said a bishop will  provide the protection, not the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Protection will be given on the presumption of innocence. 

“The presumption is that the person is persecuted unjustly because if it is known you are guilty and it is an established fact, then you will be harboring criminals. That is not only against church law but also against civil law. So the assumption of the asylum is the individual is innocent because everybody is innocent until proven guilty.”

Cruz said they leave it up to the intelligence and prudence of the bishop or priest concerned if they would give protection to an individual.

“There have also been instances when protection is given in secret or without public knowledge,” he said.

‘Follow Duterte’s order’

Meanwhile, human rights defenders have asked the Armed Forces to follow President Duterte’s order to control government-backed paramilitary groups and stop their operations.

Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary-general, said a Philippine president has finally admitted that the government is backing armed groups like the Bagani paramilitary, which is accused of committing killings in Bukidnon, Surigao and Cotabato.

“There should be no reason for the AFP to deny their links now,” she said.