TINDIG Pilipinas, one of the organizers of a so-called "healing protest" against extrajudicial killings (EJK) scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, November 5, said the event would not be the usual protest rally with loud noises and huge banners nor would it be linked to any political “color”.
Karina Constantino-David, one of the founders of Tindig Pilipinas, said the event which is being led by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will start with a mass at the EDSA shrine at 3 p.m.
From EDSA shrine, the participants will conduct a procession towards the People Power Monument. Participants include members of multi-sectoral organizations such as Layko, Kaya Natin Youth and Youth Resist.
"Siyempre, tatawagin na naman kaming destabilizers nito. Pero ang panawagan ng taumbayan, ang panawagan ng Simbahan ay hilumin ang mga sugat, hintuin na ang pagpapatay, baguhin ang pananaw pagdating sa usapin ng droga," said David.
"Sa loob ng demokrasya, ang bawat tao ay dapat may kalayaan na magpahayag. Ang pagpapahayag ng di pagsang-ayon sa nakaupo ngayon sa ating gobyerno ay hindi destabilization, kundi karapatan at obligasyon ng bawat mamamayan," she added.
David said they prepared a two-hour program with several speakers. No politician will be allowed to speak.
"Hindi tayo magra-rally para sumigaw. Tayo ay mananalangin para ibulong sa puso ni Hesus, patawarin po Ninyo kami, patawarin po Ninyo ang bayang nagkasala laban sa Inyo," outgoing CBCP president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said.
Over 3,000 suspected drug personalities were killed in the government’s war on drugs based on the record of the Philippine National Police.
David said that through the healing protest, they are calling on the administration to stop the killings and give drug suspects a chance to change as drug addiction should be treated as an illness and not a crime.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City Police District said around 300 policemen were deployed in the area where the protest will be held to maintain peace and order. (SunStar Philippines)