Gerardo Alminaza 鈥擟ONTRIBUTED PHOTO
BACOLOD CITY 鈥� Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental welcomed the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying it brings solace to the thousands of families who lost their loved ones during the controversial war-on-drugs initially in Davao and subsequently throughout the country.
The prelate also expressed hopes that other perpetrators of this drug war will be brought to justice.
鈥淔rom the harrowing era of state-sponsored killings that plagued our nation, a glimmer of hope has emerged with the arrest of Duterte,鈥� Alminaza said in a statement on Thursday, March 20.
鈥淭his development brings a measure of hope and solace to the thousands of families who lost their loved ones during the Duterte regime鈥檚 war-on-drugs and war-on-rights, a period marked by impunity and reward-driven killings,鈥� he added.
Alminaza pointed out that the Diocese of San Carlos has consistently called for an end to these killings as he personally borne witness to the devastating consequences of this violence.
鈥淚 presided over the heart-wrenching funeral masses of activists Zara Alvarez, Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, and her husband, all murdered for their dedication to the poor and their tireless work for justice and peace in Negros Island,鈥� he said.
Alminaza said he also offered prayers at the wake of Skyler Bladen Abatayo, a four-year-old boy tragically killed by a stray bullet during a flawed drug raid in Cebu City.
鈥淚t is deeply troubling that many remain unconvinced of the profound injustice perpetrated through these systematic killings, and that, tragically, former president Duterte鈥檚 actions garnered admiration from some,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t pains me to acknowledge that some among us continue to support former president Duterte鈥檚 campaign of violence, justifying the killings as a solution to the nation鈥檚 drug problem,鈥� Alminaza added.
These people, the prelate said, remain blinded by the false narrative that criminality and drug addiction could be eradicated through death and execution.
鈥淗olding Duterte accountable will be a warning to other leaders who want to unleash human rights violations in the future,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e must engage in a critical reevaluation of our values as believers, reaffirming our commitment to the sanctity of all life. The Church must remain a powerful voice against injustice and any form of tyrannical solution to social problems,鈥� he added.
Alminaza said they remain vigilant against the continuing practice of impunity as military attacks and bombings continue to 鈥渢errorize鈥� rural communities on Negros Island, Mindoro and Mindanao.
Duterte, 79, was arrested last March 11 under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant over allegations of crimes against humanity following the drug war he launched during his stint as president from 2016 to 2022.
READ: