MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Monday called on advocates of the Reproductive Health law to refrain from distributing condoms in the upcoming Valentine Day's celebration.
Father Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said giving couples the contraceptive only push specially the youth to engage in pre-marital sex or early sexual encounters.
Distributing condoms every Valentine's Day only "corrupts" the true meaning of having a relationship.
"Appeal natin sa kanila if you want respect extend the respect as well. Gusto ninyo in a reasonable way ay maipakita na ang paggamit nito na ang kanilang paniniwala ay tama then extend same respect sa Catholic teaching na hindi tayo naniniwala sa contraceptives.
"Sabi nila in a democracy kailangan na igalang at pakinggan sila then extend din nila yan sa Catholic Church na matuto silang makinig at bigyan ng kalayaan ang simbahan na magpahayag ng kaniyang sinasabi na hindi puwedeng one way lang. Huwag nilang bastusin ang simbahan at ang paniniwala natin. Ang problema ay namimigay sila kung saan saan ng kontraseptibo. Nakaka-offend yan lalu na sa hindi naniniwala," the prelate told Church-run Radyo Veritas.
The priest noted that due to the accessibility of condoms, even in sari-sari stores in the country, the cases of people who contracted HIV-AIDS have risen.
Figures from the Department of Health showed that in January 2013, there were more than 10,000 cases of HIV-AIDS in the country.