'Open the doors': the Catholic churches hiding targets of Dutertes drug war
Despite the climate of fear in the Philippines, a growing number of churches have opened their network of safe houses to people at risk of being killed
Poppy McPherson in Manila
Monday 27 February 2017 19.46 EST
The Catholic church in the Philippines is operating a network that hides addicts and others targeted in president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war, priests have told the Guardian.
More than 7,000 people have been killed by Philippine law enforcement officers and vigilantes in Duterte’s crusade against alleged addicts and dealers, often in hit-and-run style attacks by gunmen on motorcycles.
Victims are occasionally tipped off in advance that they are on a “kill list” and attempt to flee into hiding.
At his church in Quezon City on the outskirts of Manila, one of the few to have provided sanctuary is Father Gilbert Billena, despite admitting that he voted for Duterte in the election last year.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/28/catholic-churches-hiding-targets-of-dutertes-drug-war