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Samar bishops to gov’t: ‘Break chain of impunity’

3 Samar bishops recently denounced what they believe to be a “culture of impunity.”

MANILA, June 19, 2018–The Catholic bishops of Samar Island called for the breaking of the “culture of impunity” in relation to the ongoing killings in the country.

In a statement, Bishops Isabelo Abarquez of Calbayog, Crispin Varquez of Borongan and Emmanuel Trance urged the government to take effective measures to bring perpetrators of killings to justice.

They also called on the authorities to address impunity through impartial investigations and judicial processes.

“We are concerned [by] the alarming system of justice in our country wherein perpetrators of similar crimes are not held accountable,” they said.

The bishops made the appeal after the regular assembly of the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) held in Catarman, Northern Samar on June 14.

SIPPAD is a partnership of the Church, government, academe, and civil society in the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.

The bishops are also standing up against the attacks and killings of clergymen in recent months.

They said the series of killings and the increasing impunity of perpetrators in our country can never be justified.

“Hence, to kill a priest or a Filipino or anyone for whatever reason or intention is very much un-Christian, un-Filipino, and extremely irrational,” the prelates added.

“We earnestly call also on our people to pray for peace and healing of our nation, for the victims of the senseless killings in our country, and for the safety of all clergy and the religious,” they said.  (Roy Lagarde / CBCPNews)

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