THE latest series of tirades of President Duterte against church people is no joke and never should be considered as one; rather, it is part of the systematic attack against those who work to build a better society for the Filipinos and those who criticize the unacceptable, anti-people policies of the present administration. In fact, his rants were so scandalous that it smokescreens and conceals horridly his administration’s neglect of its responsibilities to the people and its plans that poses even graver danger to the nation and our future. It has mastered the use of sloppy propaganda and diatribe to conceal and route its administration’s agenda from all rational discussion and criticism. He even resorted to inciting violence and inducing to its forces to commit more crimes aimed at the people, including church people.
With the bloody record of the Duterte administration, we, as faithful, register our strongest condemnation to his most recent statement inciting vagrants to “rob and even kill bishops.” It deliberately persuades religious differences and amplifies disrespect and violence among the people. Without amour as a nation’s father, his words do not even attempt to promote unity and to resolve any single social problem.
Much more fearsome now is the pressing reality and possibility that President Duterte’s provocations might lead to actual physical attacks considering that there are already seven cases of killings of clergy and religious personnel and more frustrated attempts and threats and harassment following his stint in justifying Fr. Ventura’s killing. His statements might even reinforce and back up the forces behind the tens of cases of attacks against church people who proclaim the Good News of salvation, in the pulpits and, more importantly, in afflicted people’s communities, and denounce the evil’s works in the country.
“In this midst, we cannot remain silent. We are called to partake “...in the proclamation of good news to the poor. To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty to those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19).” - Nardy Sabino, Promotion of the Church People’s Response
Dialogue with Duterte
We are more than willing to sit with the president for a dialogue. We have been doing this with Department of Education officials and if the president himself is open for talks, it would be welcome. In fact, we had stated this publicly in the past for several times already. The president himself promised the salary hike for teachers and we hope that it will not remain as a promise. - Benjo Basas, Teacher’s Dignity Coalition chairperson