“We will not forget the killings. That is terrible. But one side of it is we will inspire the police to do their jobs according to the book,” Archbishop Valles told reporters that day, after he celebrated a special Mass at the San Pedro Cathedral The said mass was offered in observance of the National Children’s Month, which had the theme, “Bata Iligtas sa Droga.”
“Push, inspire not condemn [the] police so they will do better in their police work,” Valles added, who will replace outgoing CBCP President Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas this coming November 30. The Davao City archbishop was elected during the CBCP’s 115th plenary assembly last July 8. He is also the current CBCP vice president.
“I think we have to first address the problem of drugs. Drug kills, not only EJK. Parang number two na. It’s very sad to have the count of killings, I’m worried about it but I also wish you do calculations how many lives were destroyed by drugs, how many were killed by drugs, how many families were destroyed by drugs?” He further said.
Archbishop Valles is known for being a close friend of President Rodrigo Duterte particularly when the latter was still the mayor of Davao City. Last March, he baptized the presidents youngest grandson Marko Digong Carpio. Valles also has advised Duterte to not only stop using foul words in his speeches but also to pray the rosary every day.
"I am always hopeful because, with me, I think he considers me as somebody like on the normal level – friendly, his friend." Valles once said, when he was asked if the relationship between the government and the CBCP will improve under his presidency. As we all know, President Duterte has been slamming the Catholic Church as well as the Pope.
Contributed by Salvi Dalida
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