Bacolod bishops alarmed over ‘culture of death’

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Catholic bishops in Negros have expressed alarm over what they called a “culture of death” now prevailing in the country.

Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said they are gathering ideas from the different dioceses in Negros island for a unified position in preparation for the issuance of a statement against rising cases of extrajudicial killings.

The indifference of many to the culture of death is scary, he added.

Buzon said insensitivity appears to be the new normal, and from the Christian perspective, it is sad.

“We are losing our conscience already, worse, we even gloat over it when more blood is spilled,” he said.

Police records show that 20 people died, including a child, in drug-related killings in Negros island since the Philippine National Police launched Oplan Double Barrel on July 1.

Authorities must not forget that there are laws to follow and human rights to be respected, Buzon said.

In his homily at a mass yesterday at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in celebration of the Pista sa Kampo, Buzon said that while he is all praises for and supports the government’s decisiveness and political will to get rid of corruption and the menace of drugs, “do it according to the law.”

“The very good thing you will do will self-destruct when you take the law into your hands,” he said.

Buzon said Negros police officers must act within the bounds of the law and respect human rights.

“It is as simple as that,” he said.

“We have been always saying the same messages, and we will keep on saying that is how it should be.”