Church slams reign of terror in drug war

MANILA // The Philippines’ Roman Catholic Church will in sermons across the country assail president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs for creating a “reign of terror” among the poor.

In its most strongly worded attack so far on the crackdown on drug pushers and users, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines will say that killing people is not the answer to trafficking of illegal drugs and will voice concern about the indifference of many to the bloodshed.

“An additional cause of concern is the reign of terror in many places of the poor. Many are killed not because of drugs. Those who kill them are not brought to account,” they said in a pastoral letter.

More than 7,600 people have been killed since Mr Duterte launched his anti-drugs campaign seven months ago, more than 2,500 in what police say were shoot-outs during raids and sting operations. The government and police have strenuously denied that extrajudicial killings took place during the campaigns. The president’s office had no immediate comment on the bishops’ letter. Beginning with at masses yesterday, priests read out the letter signed by the bishops of Asia’s biggest Catholic nation. Clergymen said they were uncertain how to take a stand against the killings given the popular support Mr Duterte’s campaign enjoyed. Some said challenging him could be fraught with danger.

Mr Duterte has routinely attacked the Church.

He cursed the Pope for causing traffic snarl- ups during his 2015 visit, and as recently as this week called for a showdown with priests he has accused of having wives, engaging in homosexual acts, misusing state funds and molesting children.