Protecting human life is a primary duty of the State–from healthy conception and birth to ensuring that each individual live a life of quality and dignity. Every third Sunday of January, our country celebrates the sanctity and protection of human life to affirm our obligation to uphold the right to life of every individual. Every human being’s life has inherent worth and potential; we all have the moral duty to stand up in defense of human life.
Our Filipino beliefs and moral values have always emphasized the sacredness of life. However, the prevalence of killings and culture of impunity have deeply eroded our society’s regard for life. Violation of the sanctity of life has been unrelenting with the unceasing vigilante killings; “nanlaban” killings that are not brought to court; red-tagging that leads to endangerment of the life; terrorism that annihilates lives and communities; and authorities that trumpet death as solution to social maladies instead of going through the rigors of addressing its root causes.
On this occasion, we remind the government to reaffirm its utmost duty to protect life through concrete actions that will translate to reduction of killings and violence on the ground. All allegations of arbitrary killings must be investigated and perpetrators should be brought to justice to demonstrate seriousness in stopping killings. The public also has the duty to remain vigilant and demand for justice and accountability in every instance of arbitrary violation of life.
Life anchors the realization of other rights. The sanctity of life is also equally upheld with the realization of fundamental rights that ensure a life of dignity and equal opportunity. In this period of crisis, we also urge the State to ensure equal access to health services and all essential public services, particularly to those who have it least, so everyone are equally protected from health risks and the inevitable socio-economic impact of the pandemic.
As we observe this day, let us unite in calling a stop to killings. Due process and rule of law need to prevail to prevent further loss of lives. If impunity continues, each Filipino is only as safe as the most vulnerable among us. Itigil ang patayan! Hustisya ang aming panawagan!