CBCP urges faithful to help in anti-drug fight

Davao Archbishop and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Fernando Capalla directed Church officials yesterday to cooperate with government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the campaign against drugs.

In a message to the faithful, Capalla reaffirmed that the Catholic Church "strongly condemns the drug subculture and the clandestine production, smuggling and trafficking of illegal drugs."

He said that the Church "commits itself to direct the pastoral ministry towards a deeper awareness and concern with regard the drug crisis, a more active role in value formation in the light of the Gospel and a more extensive compassionate care of drug victims."

Capalla’s message was issued a day before President Arroyo is set to launch the "Himagsik ng Bansa Laban sa Droga: Sagipin ang Ating Henerasyon (Himagsik)."

Himagsik, which will be held at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila today, is the first multisectoral assembly to jointly address the issues involved in the drug menace, "from law enforcement to prevention and rehabilitation."

Students from various schools in Metro Manila will converge at the Liwasang Bonifacio starting at 4:30 p.m. Religious groups, including the Couples for Christ, as well non-government organizations and civil society groups, will also attend the assembly.

Himagsik will be launched simultaneously at the City Park in Davao, Fuente Osmeña in Cebu and Burnham Park in Baguio City.

The assembly will highlight the renewed commitment by the community and the Church to join law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Dangerous Drugs Board in the fight against illegal drugs.

The President will also deliver a report on the successes of her administration in the battle against illegal drugs, including the seizure in recent raids of more than P18 billion in drugs and drug paraphernalia.

"(The) vigilance of the community and the Church and the tenacity of our law enforcers will be hard to beat. Drug traffickers have no match against that," said PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force head Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay.

Quoting from a pastoral letter, Capalla urged parents to "provide the necessary loving and caring environment where the young can grow in responsibility and discipline, imbued with a vibrant sense of personal dignity and deeply convinced of the moral and religious meaning of life."

He called on educators "who act in the place of parents to provide a similar environment and formation."

"They must conscientiously fulfill the law which prescribes the integration of drug education in the curriculum," Capalla said.

He also asked government authorities and courts of justice to "faithfully and zealously perform their task of promoting law and order and eradicating the scourge of drugs," and pay no heed to "palakasan or pakiusap."