Press Release
June 17, 2018

De Lima remembers dad, fathers killed in drug war on Father's Day

In line with the celebration of Father's Day today, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the public to honor the memories of all the fathers who were killed under the government's bloody war on drugs and pray for the families that they have left behind.

De Lima, the staunchest critic of the administration's war on drugs, said she hopes that the significant occasion would remind everyone the importance of love, respect and unity.

"Kasabay ng ating pagdiriwang ng Araw ng mga Ama, mangibabaw sana ang halaga ng pagbubuklod, respeto at pagkakaunawaan sa isa't isa. Para sa mga gaya kong nangungulila sa kanilang mga ulirang ama, patuloy nawa natin silang gawing inspirasyon sa pagkalinga sa ating pamilya," she said.

"Ipanalangin din natin ang mga ama at ang kanilang pamilya, na pinaslang nang walang kalaban-laban, lalo na ang mga inosenteng nadamay lamang sa pekeng War on Drugs ng rehimeng Duterte," she added.

Note that since Duterte launched his all out war on drugs in 2016, more than 22,000 have been killed without being accorded their right to a day in court.

The Senator from Bicol also asked the Filipino people to pray for all the slain priests under the Duterte regime who, in their own ways, served as fathers in their parishes and churches.

Among the priests that De Lima cited include Fr. Richmond Nilo, Fr. Mark Ventura, and Fr. Marcelito Paez -- all of whom were gunned down by unidentified assailants who fled on motorcycles.

"Sinasalamin ng pagpaslang sa kanila ang kawalang-galang sa Diyos at sa Simbahang Katolika," she said.

Now that President Duterte failed to act as a "father" to the Filipino people whom he promised to serve and protect, De Lima said it is the public's obligation as "anak ng Inang Bayan" to work together in ensuring a peaceful society.

"Sa madilim na yugto ng ating kasaysayan, makatutulong sana kung ang itinuturing na ama ng bayan ay siyang nangunguna sa atin sa liwanag. Pero kabaligtaran ang nangyayari, dahil siya pa ang mismong nagdadala sa atin sa dilim at kapahamakan," she said.

"Sa puntong ito, tungkulin nating mga mamamayan, bilang mga anak ng Inang Bayan, na itama ang mali at ituwid ang landas na ating tinatahak tungo sa kaayusan at katarungan sa ating lipunan," she added.

On a personal note, the daughter of the late Commission on Elections Commissioner Vicente de Lima also honored her father who trained her to be strong amid challenges in both her personal and professional lives.

"Bilang anak, mapalad ako na magkaroon ng isang ama na responsable, disente, may takot sa Diyos at marangal na itinaguyod ang aming pamilya sa abot ng kanyang makakaya," she said.

"Wala na siya sa piling namin ngayon, subalit ang mga aral at halimbawa niya ay nananatili, na siya namang gumagabay sa amin sa piniling propesyon at sa pagtataguyod ng sarili naming pamilya," she added.

The former justice secretary shared she always draws her strength from her father as she continues to fight for justice and the rule of law, saying "gaya ng sabi niya: Huwag kang matakot basta't alam mong nasa panig ka ng tama at makatarungan."

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