A GROUP of laity from the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese declared its support the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP’s) condemnation of the spate of extrajudicial killings and the r possible re-imposition of the death penalty in the country.

The ‘Olupan na Laiko ed Arkdiosis na Lingayen-Dagupan’ (ONLA-ALD) said it is “deeply saddened and greatly disturbed by the culture of death that has apparently pervaded our dear country. “

“We, the laity, are one with our Church leaders in upholding the dignity and sanctity of every human life,” ONLA-ALD, headed by Osmundo Lambino, said.

ONLA-ALD claims that “there has already been close to eight thousand killings in the last eight months, all in the name of the war against drugs”.

“Add to that the almost inevitable re-imposition of the Death Penalty by the Philippine Congress,” it added.

It said that the group is “outraged, deeply hurt and utterly dismayed by the decision of the five congressmen from the Province of Pangasinan to vote for the ratification of the Death Penalty Bill”.

It also said that despite this atmosphere of doubt, fear, and uncertainty in this difficult period of the nation, “we the laity find courage and solace in the wisdom of our Church leaders and the basic teachings of the Catholic Church”.

It cited CBCP’s view that “every person has a right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, any action that harms another is a grave sin, the deep root of the drug problem and criminality is the poverty of the majority, the destruction of the family and the corruption in society, and to consent to and to keep silent in front of evil is to be an accomplice to it.”

It added, “We enjoin the laity to unceasingly pray for the transformation of our government leaders, the renewal of the Filipino people and the healing of our nation.” (Tita Roces)

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