CBCP head calls drug peddlers ‘satans’

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has described drug traffickers as “satans”.

In his homily on Sunday, CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles condemned drug traffickers during the launching of Sagop Kinabuhi or Save Lives program of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish in the city.

Valles denounced the shipments of illegal drugs being smuggled into the country.

“In the news, we see not just thousands but billions worth of drugs shipped into the country by drug traffickers. They are satans!” he said.

 The Davao archbishop urged people not to be lured by the drug trade and never negotiate with “evil” because it could lead to the destruction of families, particularly the youth.

“We know that drugs destroy you physically, your future, you may become a murderer, all the darkness of drugs, we know the ending,” Valles said.

He said drug users should undergo rehabilitation because “they are only victims.”

The Church and other sectors must reach out to drug victims.

“Each person is precious in the eyes of God. Life is precious,” Valles said.

Save Lives program was re-launched by the Catholic Church in 2016 to help rehabilitate former drug users. The program has expanded to more parishes nationwide to boost the spirituality, morality and educational capacities of drug surrenderees.