Five died of AIDS in Cebu this year

At least five persons died of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Cebu while 24 died nationwide from January to July 2008.

This was disclosed by Dr. Rene Joseph Bullecer, founder of Aids Free Philippines, during its 15th anniversary celebration held at the Archbishop Palace yesterday.

“With the latest news that came out officially from the DOH (Department of Health) nga ni-shift atong kaso sa HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) from heterosexual community to homosexual community,” Bullecer said, adding that this might probably because “our community has become liberalized.”

Most of the cases, according to him, involved seamen, homosexual men and commercial sex workers.

From 1985 to 2008, the reported HIV/AIDS cases in the country rose up to 3,317.

A church-based organization, AIDS Free Philippines campaigns against the disease among health care professionals, commercial sex workers, seamen and students.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, on the other hand, said that the campaign against AIDS is all about morality and not just the mere sickness.

“We are talking about morality. When it comes to moral issues…when an act is sinful, it is against our conscience...if your conscience is right,” Vidal said. — Joy Kareen T. Saliente/LPM