Over 2,000 Catholics took part in a march led by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Tagle last weekend in the Philippines capital, protesting against government moves to legalise divorce and highlighting the violent war on drugs by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Participants carried banners and placards with the message “Protect and Defend the Sanctity of Life and Marriage”, “End Impunity” and “Stop the Killings”. Relatives of those who have died in the government's ‘war against drugs’ joined the candle-lit procession.
Speaking at the march, Cardinal Tagle said: “Let us bring back the belief that the life of other people, even of our enemies, is a gift from God”.
The ‘March for Life’ event was replicated across the country, including the major cities of Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. In Cebu, about 5,000 Catholics, led by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, joined a dawn procession to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Archbishop Palma reminded people about the sanctity of life, marriage and family. He said that although the Catholic Church supported Mr Duterte’s campaign to rid the country of illegal drugs, it was concerned about the way it was being carried out.
Since Duterte became president, at least 12,000 people have died due to his policy on drug dealers and addicts, with many of the killings carried out by police officers.
At his final campaign rally in 2016 he said: “Forget the laws on human rights. If I make it to the presidential palace, I will do just what I did as mayor. You drug pushers, hold-up men and do-nothings, you better go out. Because I’d kill you, I’ll dump all of you into Manila Bay, and fatten all the fish there.”
The government thanked church leaders for their peaceful marches, saying that President Duterte "is open to constructive criticism".
PICTURE: Protesters during nationwide anti-Duterte rally on Friday 23 February 2018 (Photo by Larry Monserate Piojo/Sipa USA).
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