Davao folk turn to prayer versus summary killings

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Since Ash Wednesday, the local Catholic faithful have been praying the “Oratio Imperata” to heal the city from unabated summary killings.

The mandatory prayer will be recited on bended knees after Holy Communion for one year.

“It is to be done after Communion because Jesus is still sacramentally present, and on bended knees as a sign of humility,” Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla said.

The “Oratio Imperata” took note of the “hatred and dislike of drug addicts and drug pushers, the senseless disregard of due process of law, the violent killing of mere suspects, the taking of the law into one’s hands, the lustful greed in the hooded killers on motorbikes, the baseless claim that there are no witnesses, the inhumane disrespect for life of the unborn from womb to tomb, and the unjust socio-political system that tolerates all these to happen.”

The city is still in shock over the brutal killing of Rebelyn Pitao, the 21-year-old daughter of New People’s Army (NPA) leader Leoncio Pitao, alias Commander Parago.

The young Pitao was snatched by armed men in Bago Aplaya here last Wednesday night. Her body bearing stab wounds and torture marks was found floating in a river in Carmen, Davao del Norte, about 30 kilometers from this city.

City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, however, said the Church prayer is incomplete, as it should also include the victims of criminals and drug addicts.

“The Church should also look at the helpless victims of these criminals and drug addicts. The Church should also pray for them,” he said.