Cebu prelate seeks justice for Kian

CEBU CITY – Reacting to the killing of a Grade 11 student in Caloocan City during a police anti-criminal sweep last week, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said “may there be justice especially” for the slain teenager.

The death of Kian delos Santos, 17, has sparked widespread condemnation of the Caloocan police who said he was a drug courier and was gunned down after he fired at arresting officers.

There were witnesses who contradicted the police version of the incident, saying delos Santos was an innocent victim and had pleaded for his life before he killed.

Palma said that while the Catholic Church is not antagonistic toward the campaign against illegal drugs, he doubted the government’s approach and appealed for a stop to the killings.

“We’re saying this not because we are opposed to the war against drugs but we’re opposed to the way it is now being conducted. And in many ways, we can say it has almost gone out of bounds,” he said.

The 68-year-old prelate made the pronouncement Sunday afternoon following Manila Archbishop Luis Tagle’s call to those responsible for such killings “to stop wasting human lives” and that the oneness in Filipinos is needed to face the menace of illegal drugs. The Manila prelate also called on putting an end to the manufacture and sale of illegal drugs.

Police have confirmed killing 3,450 individuals in anti-drug raids since President Duterte assumed office last year. Over 2,000 were killed in police operations and thousands more murdered in unexplained circumstances, the police data showed.

Last Sunday, Palma launched a prayer of surrender against drug addiction.

An excerpt of the prayer reads: “All powerful and living God, our creator and savior, we are helpless and powerless over our addiction. We surrender everything to you. You are our only hope and refuge. Save us from the bondage of drugs and all forms of addiction.”