The Catholic Church Is The Face Of Resistance To Duterte’s Brutal Drug War In The Philippines (HBO)

Summary

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war has resulted in over 7,000 deaths, prompting the Catholic Church and other faith groups to speak out against the violence. A group called 'Rise Up' is actively opposing the killings, offering financial aid and legal support to victims' families. Despite the Church's recent condemnation, there's a divide among its members, with some supporting Duterte's approach. The group assists families in raising funds for funerals, which are a financial burden, and provides shelter to those in danger, like a survivor of the Cowan Massacre, where seven teenagers were killed.

Takeaways

• 😔 The brutal drug war under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has resulted in over 7,000 deaths.
• 🙏 After the killing of a South Korean businessman, Duterte apologized and suspended the drug war, but killings persisted.
• 🗣️ The Catholic Church and other faith groups are now speaking out against the violence and attempting to resist.
• 👨‍🏫 Father Gilbert Bala's sermon challenges Duterte's approach, advocating for treatment and love instead of condemnation.
• 🤝 A group named 'Rise Up' is actively opposing the killings, providing financial aid and documentation of the incidents.
• 💔 The cost of funerals in the Philippines is a significant burden for families of the victims, often leading to debt.
• 🏙️ In Caloocan City, 11 people were killed in a single week, highlighting the severity of the situation.
• 🔒 Survivors of the drug war, like 'Ryan,' are in hiding, fearing for their lives if they were to be found.
• 🏛️ The Catholic Church's official opposition to Duterte's drug war is significant given the Philippines' Catholic majority.
• 🤔 There is a noted division among church leaders regarding the drug war, with some supporting Duterte and others condemning the violence.

Q & A

What is the main issue addressed in the transcript?

The transcript addresses the brutal drug war in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte, which has resulted in over 7,000 deaths, and the subsequent resistance and efforts by the Catholic Church and other faith groups to speak out against the killings.

Why did President Duterte apologize and suspend the drug war offensive?

President Duterte apologized and formally suspended the drug war offensive after the news emerged that a South Korean businessman had been killed by police in October.

Who is Father Gilbert Bala and what is his stance on the drug war?

Father Gilbert Bala is a priest who actively opposes the killings in Duterte's drug war. He emphasizes that those addicted to drugs should be seen as patients needing cure and love, not as criminals deserving condemnation.

What is the mission of the group 'Rise Up' mentioned in the transcript?

The group 'Rise Up' is a network of clergy and community organizers whose mission is to stand for human rights, provide financial aid to victims, and most importantly, document the killings during the drug war.

How does the transcript describe the financial burden on families of the victims in the drug war?

The transcript describes the financial burden on families of the victims as significant, with funerals in the Philippines being incredibly expensive. It mentions that families need to raise around 7,000 pesos, which is about $1,500, a sum that can put a family in debt for life.

What is the 'Cokan Massacre' referred to in the transcript?

The 'Cokan Massacre' is a tragedy where 11 people were killed in a single week in Cow Oen City, including a 16-year-old boy named Sunny and six of his friends who were shot dead at a birthday party by suspected vigilantes.

Why did the Catholic Church initially remain silent on the drug war?

The transcript does not explicitly state why the Catholic Church remained silent initially, but it does highlight that the Church has now voiced official opposition to what it calls the 'reign of terror' of Duterte's drug war.

What influence does the Catholic Church have in the Philippines according to the transcript?

The transcript indicates that the Catholic Church has a significant influence in the Philippines, as it is one of the most Catholic countries in the world.

What is the attitude of some priests towards the drug war and the killings, as portrayed in the transcript?

The transcript portrays a range of attitudes among priests towards the drug war and the killings. Some are unsure of their position, some condone the killings but believe the president has good intentions, while others appear to be in favor of the killings, thinking there is no other solution.

What is the role of 'Rise Up' volunteers in protecting people like Ryan, who survived the Cokan Massacre?

Rise Up volunteers play a crucial role in protecting people like Ryan, who survived the Cokan Massacre, by taking personal risks to shelter them in secret locations, ensuring their safety until they can be interviewed or find a way to live without the threat of being killed.

What is the current status of the fight for justice for the victims of the drug war, as described in the transcript?

The transcript concludes that while 'Rise Up' has helped the families of the Cokan Massacre victims to get to the point of burying their children, their fight for justice has only just begun.