The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish of the Diocese of Dumaguete has issued a statement condemning the series of killings in the city, many of which have not been solved to date.
During its regular meeting Sunday afternoon at the Marian Priests”º Center, the PPC, headed by William Ablong, currently the Dumaguete City Administrator passed the statement “unequivocally denouncing the recurring shooting incidents in Dumaguete City”.
These include the cases in January alone where four people were “executed” as well as the 32 murders committed in 2013 that have remained unsolved until now, according to Ablong.
The statement, signed by more than 20 PPC members to include Ablong, Msgr. Julius Heruela, rector of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish and City Councilor Joe Kenneth Arbas, among others.
It reads, “the defense of human rights and human dignity must itself be just. It has to be impartial, irrespective of religious beliefs or ideology.”
The group also appealed to law enforcers to uphold the laws and fully enforce the law on loose firearms and illegal drugs.
“We call for an impartial and comprehensive investigation of the incidents and their swift and just resolution. We pray and seek justice for all victims of extra-judicial killings”, the statement further read.
Police officials have repeatedly disclosed that most of the killings in Dumaguete were due to a turf war between two rival groups engaged in the illegal drugs trade or group members taking out those with bungled transactions or failed remittances.
The call of the Parish Pastoral Council comes as public perception is rising over the seemingly indifferent attitude of the community, the Church and other sectors on the so-called summary executions in Dumaguete which police authorities have attributed to the illegal drugs problem.
Some quarters have openly criticized the perceived “selective stance” of the community in the killings, noting that in the past, actions were immediately taken when a prominent member of society was murdered.
In fact, in previous years, Church-based groups had even gone to the extent of writing the late former Sec. Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government for the immediate relief of police officials for failure to solve such crimes.
But City Administrator Ablong, who was among those who led such action, in a previous interview admitted that approach did not work.
Meanwhile, the Diocesan Organization of Renewal Movements & Communities will spearhead a Walk-for-Life on Feb. 25 around the streets of Dumaguete.
Msgr. Heruela disclosed that the activity is aimed at drumming up awareness and pushing for advocacy to protect and preserve human life and human dignity.
The walk-for-life is timely as the Church is celebrating pro-life month this February.
Msgr. Heruela called on various sectors of society to participate in the Walk-for-Life in the afternoon of Feb. 25 which shall be followed by a prayer rally and candle lighting ceremony at the Quezon Park. (PNA)
