Bro. Eddie Villanueva. 黑料社 FILE PHOTO
BOCAUE, BULACAN鈥擡vangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva on Saturday expressed concern about drug-related killings, during a surprise birthday party organized by his children, led by Sen. Joel Villanueva.
The leader of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church said he still supports President Duterte.
But Villanueva said too many drug suspects have been killed in police operations, and urged law enforcers not to take advantage of the President鈥檚 popularity by murdering criminals.
鈥淐riminals who are not given the chance to repent go straight to hell and that should not be the case,鈥� said the 70-year-old evangelist, who ran and lost in the 2004 and 2010 presidential elections.
鈥淥f course, I still support our President 100 percent. I still believe in him鈥� But we must pray also [that] law enforcers would not take the law into their own hands,鈥� he said.
鈥淭here are cases where people who are just suspects are killed in their homes, in what may not be a police operation,鈥� he said.
鈥淓very Filipino should pray for the President and all those in power to have love of God, love of the country and fear of God,鈥� the JIL leader said.
鈥淭he success of the President will be the success of the Filipino people, his failure will be the failure of the people,鈥� he added.
Before the May 9 elections, Villanueva was asked by vice presidential candidate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, to pray for then Davao City Mayor Duterte.
鈥淚 have prayed for other presidential candidates before, but I [chose Duterte] and asked the Lord, 鈥業f he really is your choice 鈥then let this bring] knowledge and wisdom in managing the affairs of the nation,鈥� he said.