Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2005
Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Mindanao Times.
Contact:  http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?1043 (Christianity)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

EDITORIAL: 'THOU SHALL NOT KILL'

Why is the Church unusually silent on the recent spate of summary
executions which has already taken the lives of 50 persons since the
start of the year? Historically, the Church has always been in the
forefront of human rights protection especially on the right to life
and has made its position clear that summary execution is wrong and
that society should unite to end the killings.

Davao Archbishop and president of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of
the Philippines, Abp. Fernando R. Capalla issued his first Pastoral
Letter on summary executions entitled "Thou Shall Not Kill," the Fifth
Commandment (Exodus 20:13) in 2001.

It strongly declared that "the killers, by taking the law into their
own hands, are as criminals and violators of the law as the convicted
drug pushers."

Three years later, Bishop Capalla issued his second Pastoral Letter
entitled "The Summary Killings" on February 18, 2004.  We take the
liberty of reprinting excerpts of the inspiring Pastoral Letter that
is turning to be more relevant today.

"It is now February 2004. The killings have not stopped since 2001
when I issued my Pastoral Letter. In fact they have increased. What is
more, some killings were done right in front of sacred places like the
Sta. Ana Church and the Parish Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
in Bajada.

The number of murdered suspects has seemingly surpassed the victims of
the Airport and the Wharf bombings. Public indignation triggered a
massive rally last March 2003. Huge streamers blared a wake-up slogan
BANGON DAVAO!

There must be another BANGON DAVAO! now, massive, strong, fearless,
and unified. I re-issue my Pastoral Letter in support of a united
citizenry against summary killings and salvaging.

I renew the call to all sectors of Church and society to condemn the
crime but not the criminals of the Davao Death Squad, to demand for a
better and more effective and conscientious law enforcement agencies
in Davao City, to declare that it is an insult to our intelligence for
law enforcers to say "there are no witnesses to testify" and "there is
no summary execution, only unsolved crimes," and to state that with
tax payers money, effective and hi-tech intelligence systems and
agents are easy to come by in this day and age of communication technology.

Finally, we reiterate the Church's teachings that one's innate
goodness is not erased by a sinful and criminal act. Consequently,
rehabilitation and reformation are always possible. Hence, we must
condemn the sin and crime but not the sinner and criminal but help
him/her to become a new person." 
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