"AMID a global health crisis, unjust killings across the country continue. We, sadly, must admit that it is unlikely for our government to use its power to stop this, because from the very start of the Duterte administration, it is officially endorsed."
This was stressed by Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza as he lamented that "significant portion of our people, tricked into believing the promise of change."
Alminaza, in a pre-State of the Nation Address (Sona) statement over the weekend, said the only thing the administration was able to do is stain its hands with the blood of innocents whose silence it wanted, and of the increasing victims of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) whom it has chosen to neglect by pursuing instead the Anti-Terrorism Law to legitimize impunity.
"We can never instill discipline through violence, for it could only ignite more violence, soaking us in blood," he added.
For the top church leader in Negros, the spate of killings in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental and in other parts of the country must end.
The bishop said "our diocese is committed in the pursuit of just peace, and we urge our local government and the military forces not to resort to red-tagging."
Through pseudo-campaigns for peace and order, they have been unrelenting in justifying attacks and sowing intimidation and fear, he said.
"As pastor of the church in Negros, I call for peace between our state forces and groups, even those who are dubbed as rebels, who express dissent at the ways of the government. I plead to our government to stop the immoral killings of our people," Alminaza said.
As it opposes the Anti-Terrorism Law, the diocese said the law in itself transforms the society from a governing body into a criminal state.
The government must respect freedom of expression, should not give unlawful power to state forces to arrest and inflict terror, and must never desecrate the people's civil and democratic rights, it said.
In his fifth Sona today, Alminaza said they appeal to the President not to turn a blind eye on the dire state of our people.
Today, the spate of deaths continues not only through state-endorsed killings, but also through rampant hunger, loss of livelihood and environmental degradation, among others, Alminaza said.
"We are tired of hearing unwarranted jokes and threats in his speeches. We call on the President to listen to the cries of the people, present concrete solutions in his Sona, and serve in the interest of the public," he added.
The bishop also called on the people to discern, act, speak and participate in a people's Sona.
"Let us unite and defend our rights. Let us unite in caring for life and protecting humanity," he added.