Duterte words encouraging violence vs. priests —CHR

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday expressed alarm over President Rodrigo Duterte's continued tirades aimed at Catholic Bishops and other members of the Church.

In a speech on Wednesday evening, President Duterte went as far as to wish death for the bishops whom he called useless.

He also said that most of Catholic priests were gay and said the Catholic church was the "most hypocritical institution" in the Philippines.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said such statements could embolden violence against priests and other religious persons in the face of "continuing attacks against those deemed as critics of the government."

The Commission also threw its support behind Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David who had not been afraid to speak up against several of President's statements and other members of the Clergy.

"Churches and priests, such as in the case of Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Caloocan, work directly with communities and families, who continue to suffer the many forms of human rights violations allegedly stemming from the government’s drug campaign," De Guia said.

"Instead of calling them useless, the government must take their concerns as valid challenges from the ground and as means to improve rather than degrade, protection of human rights of all," she added.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo had defended the latest of Duterte's fiery words against bishops, this time saying the "kill" order was "only a hyperbole."

David had also responded to the statements with Bible passages recalling that the Church has endured many years persecution and urged the faithful to "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." —NB, GMA News