Punchline
CBCP’s misplaced eloquence
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
I personally felt distressed on reading Archbishop Soc Villegas’ statement timed for the launching of the “Huwag kang papatay” advocacy.
For starters, I failed to read a single line that spoke of the sacrifices and sufferings of our law enforcers, who continue to risk their own lives in the war on drugs in order that we, and our family members, may continue to be safe from harm that drug addicts continuously inflict on us.
There was neither a statement of alarm for the continued killing and violation of bodies of innocent victims by drug addicts.
The statement was obviously aimed solely at expressing concern and care for the welfare of drug addicts and saving the drug pushers from possible harm in the hands of law enforcers. Why?
Lastly, it still wasn’t a statement for positive action by our bishops but I must concede it certainly was another eloquent statement and discernment, though misplaced.
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LIVING IN PAIN AND SORROW. Everyday, families are silently and ardently praying for protection, for peace and godliness in their households. The last thing they need is to be reminded of the evils of drug addiction and the sanctity of life. Families have been living it in pain and in sorrow.
More than our bishops realize, more families today, particularly those victimized by drug pushers and addicts, are experiencing daily hardships, spiritually and physically, because of how illegal drugs affected them. Families are desperate for real help from our public servants and church leaders, not mere token words of comfort.
The last thing they need is to be taught about how life should be in this time of crisis.
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WHERE WERE YOU? Regrettably, I sense only the hypocrisy of the church in that recent statement, praying belatedly for the ugly and deadly consequences of the war on drugs with all the fanfare for the media to see. If the bishops claim they “are not numb to those offenses against human life,” where were they when drug pushers were freely scanning settlements and schools for victims to exploit? Why are they still mum about the drug protectors and coddlers who generously contribute to their churches? Where were they when families were crying over a kin who had gone wayward with drugs, a member who was maimed and raped, over a mother or father who was butchered by a drug-addict son, and incessant thievery at home by a drug-affected son and daughter? We didn’t hear them offer prayers or organize candle processions for the victimized families.
If only our bishops had protested the ironclad protection that corrupt politicians and police scalawags extended to the illegal drug industry years back, there would have been less of the untimely deaths that they speak of today. If they had only publicly condemned the local public officials who made it easy for the illegal drug financiers to exploit the poor, broken families would not be wasted today. But they didn’t.
So, instead of grandstanding over extra-judicial killings that they claim, our communities can relate better to the church’s causes and prayers if our bishops today would accompany their eloquent prayers with long walks to houses of known drug pushers and pray with their families in their homes for deliverance. More drug addicts will seek to make amends not because law enforcers are hounding them but because their bishops bowed and prayed with them in their homes. Because Christ, through the bishops, cares for them.
Our bishops’ prayers for salvation will echo in thousand homes if they would only dare accompany the police when the latter go about Oplan Tokhang. Only then will communities understand that, indeed, life is precious and the bishops’ prayers will be theirs.
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WHEN THE CHURCH CARED ENOUGH. Frankly, the only time I felt the church truly cared for our communities was when Archbishop Oscar Cruz not only prayed but walked the talk about the evils of illegal gambling. He publicly decried how jueteng affected and risked the poor’s welfare when jueteng lords were untouchable. He condemned the government’s inaction when nobody else did. He led community rallies and marches to call attention to the moral decay in our communities. And yes, how he prayed with us all, without the eloquence but with simple words that he knew were ours.
With all due respect to our bishops today, our communities don’t need eloquent prayers to be prayed. Our families need to see you practicing the preach! I may not speak for the priests and nuns around you but I sense they also pray, you would!
As Archbishop Villegas aptly quoted: “He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother (Luke 7:14-15).”
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SOLVING TRAFFIC WOES. The determination of Mayor Belen Fernandez and her traffic enforcers to improve the traffic in the city’s business district is admirable. However, and unfortunately, any amount of efforts directing pedestrians and vehicles to stop and go, are actually futile not because they are wanting in resolve, but because there are existing physical and policy constraints that the business district is faced with.
Firstly, with the exception of A. B. Fernandez Ave. and Perez Boulevard, the city streets are narrow. Motorists have to negotiate single lanes in both directions. Secondly, many ordinances remain as suggestions, not for strict enforcement. For too long, offenders have been allowed to get away with their violations. No cases were ever filed. (Hopefully, with a new city legal officer, Atty. Vicky Cabrera, things will be different from hereon).
Lately, residents are seeing new signs posted around the business district: “No vendors on the sidewalk”; “No parking on the sidewalk.” But lo and behold, vendors remain where they are and tricycles park on the sidewalks ignoring the presence of the traffic enforcers, and vice versa. For the sake of the image of the city hall, may I also suggest for these signs be pulled down en pronto before public perception gets any worse.
In this city of ‘suggestions’, I suggest city hall can start learning from congested Makati whose efforts are guided by one policy – the roads and sidewalks are nobody’s private domain, and all ordinances and rules are strictly enforced.
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LGUs STAKE IN WAR. The cities of Dagupan, San Carlos, Urdaneta and Alaminos are logical targets of drug lords. In fact, it’s where we have and continue to see drug pushers and users surrendering or are being hounded (except in Alaminos where not a single pusher or user surrendered!!).
The police are pursuing the war on drugs with its Double Barrel, Oplan Tokhang, Operation Sita, etc… but nothing is heard about what the local governments doing for the war.
What are Mayors Belen Fernandez, Bogs Resuello, Bobom Perez and Arthur Celeste doing for their constituents who are drug-affected? Since there is no rehab program for them, one can easily surmise that they will continue their illegal habits. Are the mayors simply waiting for their constituents to rot and be done away with?
(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)
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