Palma supports peaceful protest vs death penalty

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma supports a peaceful mass action against the reimposition of death penalty after the House justice committee voted to restore the capital punishment.

Palma said that protests should be limited to non-violent actions like prayer rallies.

"That is all we can do. We do not have a police force to implement through the power of the sword," Palma said.

He said the Church will focus on highlighting the principles of the Catholic doctrine and belief that is pushing for initiatives that will contribute to the betterment of society.

He expressed apprehensions that restoring death penalty would only reverse the signified "growth in society" where people respect the value of life. Palma is hoping that the bill will not pass the plenary.

 "On a personal note, I still pray that it will not pass. But we are not the lawmakers," Palma said.

He believes that death penalty is not the best solution to dissuade people from committing crimes. Palma is hoping that the government will impose laws based on what he called "discerned decision."

Palma is expecting the regional representatives of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to meet over what actions to take against the restoration of death penalty.

Archbishop emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is imploring the people to be united in prayers.

 "We have to pray that everything will be done in the right way," he told reporters.

He said that he had been praying that lawmakers will study their decision carefully since it would affect the entire country.

He refused to give a stand on the issue in deference to the members of the CBCP who might be issuing official statement in the days to come.

 "I am not going to say anything. It all depends to the conference of bishops…  You see, I am already retired and so I am no longer to ever say anything about in advance of the conference of bishops," Vidal explained.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights in Central Visayas is also opposed to the restoration of death penalty.

Lawyer Arvin Udron, CHR-7 director, said that the right to life is one of the fundamental human rights that should be respected.

He said it has been the government policy to va-lue the dignity of every person and guarantee full respect to human rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

"The universality and equality of all human rights is a guarantee that all human rights should be enjoyed by every human being regardless of his and her status in life, whether rich or poor, innocent or criminal, including color, race or nationality, among others," Udron said. (FREEMAN)