Posted on 01/07/2013 5:47:57 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
Manila - MANILA – Two prominent Filipino bishops have called on President Benigno S. Aquino and the rest of his Cabinet members to give up his guns and set an example for the public emulate, and for gun enthusiasts to follow.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, one of the administration’s high-profile critics, said in an interview that “the President should be the model and must lead if he surrenders all his firearms.”
The statement came in the wake of incidents involving guns that resulted in the death of 23 persons. Last New Year’s Eve, a child was fatally hit by a stray bullet, and on Jan. 4, a drug-crazed man nine individuals, including a seven-year-old kid, were gunned down in Kawit, Cavite, a southern province.
On Jan. 7, thirteen suspected criminals were killed in a shootout at a checkpoint in Quezon, another province south of Metro Manila. Among those who were slain were three police officers, including a lieutenant colonel, a military man, and nine suspected accomplices.
In agreement, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles favored the adoption of a total gun ban throughout the archipelago, saying any person with a firearm is always tempted to use it.
He said that “anybody with a gun, whoever he is, whether sensible or boastful… you have this intention to harm your fellowman, you think you are above him. And that’s bad.”
In reaction to the public uproar created by these recent gun-related incidents, a number of senators have already come out with proposals to revive the death penalty or impose a total gun ban.
Sen. Francis Escudero, following the position of President Benigno s. Aquino III, opposed the re-imposition of death penalty, saying this “will not stop miscreants from carrying out their crimes. I have always said that it is still the certainty of punishment, not its severity that will deter crimes.”
For his part, Sen. Panfilo Lacson proposed that civilian gun owners should not be given the authority to carry firearms outside their homes, stressing that guns “are for self-defense and protection of properties from intruders, and not for offensive action by the possessor.”
“When this happens,” he added, “a lot of lives can be saved and a big positive impact on the country's peace and order will be felt by the citizenry.” Sen. Vicente Sotto III, on the other hand, wanted the imposition of a total gun ban would “not prevent a repeat of the bloodbath but would only exacerbate the already grave peace and order problem in our country.” “If we outlaw guns,” he added, “then only the outlaws will have guns… The citizenry will be at the mercy of the criminal elements with high-powered guns at their disposal.”
Bishops back calls for total gun ban - January 5, 2013 - MANILA, Philippines – Catholic bishops on Saturday threw their weight behind proposals to impose a total gun ban in the country after an apparently disturbed man went on a shooting rampage in Kawit, Cavite and killed eight persons and wounded 9 others.Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said the government should consider the proposal to ensure the safety of unarmed Filipinos.
“Maybe it’s for the government to study. There may be some people who may be allowed in some circumstances [to carry guns] but in general the spirit [of the proposal] is good,” Palma said in an interview.
“We have to consider what the others say when they claim the right to protect themselves [but] as I said, in principle, the gun ban is in the spirit of peace and protection, especially of the innocent,” he added.
Palma said the government should be strict in giving individuals licenses to carry guns and crack down on loose firearms.
“The government knows that. They are even making every effort to make the licensing of guns more strict and to ensure that people whoa re allowed to use guns are indeed psychologically or emotionally reliable or safe,” he said.
“As of now, I know we know the rules but usually it’s just a question of implementation,” he added.
Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes said that the bishops were “saddened” by the tragedy in Cavite, where former barangay councilman Ronald Bae shot 15 persons, including a pregnant woman.
“We are saddened because this happened. We thought these things happen only in US. Now, it’s starting to happen here. Although we had before people who run amok, we hope it wil not be repeated that often. Let us pray that these things will not happen again,” Reyes said.
“There should be more control about guns. I’m not an expert about safety but at least there must be more control about guns,” he added.
Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said he supported a total gun ban because it was in line with the Church’s “pro-life” position.
“We support the total gun ban. We proclaim the gospel of life versus the culture of death,” he said.
Caloocan bishop Deogracia Iniguez said he was also in favor of a total gun ban and not just during elections.
“I’m in favor of the gun ban. Only the police and the military may carry guns, but they should also be regulated,” Iniguez said.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes and Lipa Archbishop Ramon Argulles also said that they supported a total gun ban.
“What we should support and campaign for is the responsible and moral use of guns. That covers both legally and illegally acquired guns,” said Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, a former CBCP president.
Same as the Catholic bishops in this country. With the exception of abortion and contraception, the American Conference of Catholic Bishops' social policies are pretty much identical to the hard left side of the Democratic Party.
Might want to take away the guns from the Filipino MILFs first.
Then[Jesus] said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”
Luke 22:36
Mass killings are not new in SE Asia. That is where the word AMOK comes from.
AMOK by John Russell (These stories are not PC!)
http://www.unz.org/Pub/RussellJohn-1920
Right after the Catholic Bishops give up their Homosexual Priests throughout the Church.
Yup. I find it increasingly hard to rally around the Catholic church when it (and about half it's voting flock) is attacked by the very politicians they cast ballots for and support. On most issues, the Catholic church is basically a radical left organization.
Sadly true. Too bad they don't stick to faith and morals and refrain from meddling in other aspects of society. Guns are neither moral nor immoral. They are machines, yet these idiots want to ban them. Maybe if they spent as much effort in outing pedophile priests instaed of hiding them the church would be a better organization and more credible.
Exactly.
If you live in the Philippines, you are always at risk of being kidnapped by armed bandits or being robbed by armed bandits in your home. The citiens know not to call the police, either, as they may be in on the crime. The police might also extort you.
The bishops are chasing a fantasy and they are stubborn in their beliefs that immature acts of simple “peacefulness” will reduce the crimes and deaths. Such acts are no more than expressions of niceness and will get innocent and vulnerable Filipino citizens killed.
The attitudes of the bishops give insights into some of the reasons why the Filipino population is a peasant population.
The real question is whether the Philippines has an equivalent of our 2nd Amendment guaranteeing a right to bear arms. If not, anybody’s opinion there is as good as anyone elses, and the government can do whatever it wants. If they DO have a constitutional right, the Filipinos should no more give up their rights than we should.
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