Stop shaming, blaming others for Benguet landslide tragedy — Baguio bishop

MANILA, Philippines — Set aside politics and stop blaming and shaming people for the landslide in Benguet that buried more than 60 miners and their families, Baguio Bishop Victor Bendico appealed to the public yesterday.

Bendico said he was saddened by the deaths even as he asked all concerned to focus on search and rescue operations. 

“We urge everyone to avoid every kind of insensitive remarks, false accusations and inappropriate name calling that cause more harm than comfort. Let us stop using the misery of others as a tool for selfish propaganda that does nothing to ease their sorrow, but instead sow confusion and further division, ” he said.

“With our common resolve to help the victims, let us rise to the occasion and prove once again that united as one people of Baguio and Benguet, no super typhoon can dampen our hope, no tragedy can ever defeat the greatness of the human spirit and our faith in God. I commend everyone to the love and mercy of God,” Bendico added. 

He called on the people to “move from the prevailing politics of blaming and shaming to the gospel of sincere concern for the poor and marginalized.” 

Bendico also offered prayers for victims of the typhoon and conveyed his condolences to families of the fatalities.

President Duterte had blamed the incident on the priest assigned in the area, saying the chapel, where the victims took shelter, would have not collapsed if the priest was replaced.

However, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President was ”not serious” when he issued the statement.