By CBCP News
August 6, 2019
Manila, Philippines
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan may be a vocal critic of the government’s brutal battle against illegal drugs but asserted he did not break any law.
The bishop said he is not against the campaign against criminality but reiterated that it should be in a manner that is lawful.
“Ours is just an appeal to follow the law, respect the dignity and human rights of all people, protect life and help the sick and other victims (of illegal drugs),” David said.
The bishop was speaking during the prayer vigil organized by laypeople at the San Roque Cathedral on August 2.
More than a thousand people attended the prayer service to support David and other clergymen facing preliminary investigation this week for sedition and other charges.
In 2017, the bishop was threatened of obstruction of justice for taking custody of the witnesses to the killing of schoolboy Kian Delos Santos.
The case, however, did not push through and three cops were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Delos Santos.
Bishop David has denied the fresh charges and stressed that in no way had he violates any law.
“I hope that they would also respect the ‘rule of law’ which is the foundation of the democracy that gave them the chance to serve the government,” he said.
The charges were filed by the police against opposition figures and clergymen over a supposed conspiracy to spread videos linking President Duterte and his family to illegal drugs.
Also accused of inciting sedition were Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, Bishop Teodoro Bacani, and three priests. CBCPNEWS
