The Philippines, “Periferias angels” next to drug victims

Paolo Affato – Ciudad from the Vatican

They are “angels of the parties”, those who, such as Father Daniel Franklin Billario (“Father Danny”, as they call themselves), continue to provide human and spiritual livelihoods for families, especially women, who lost their loved ones in the great urban neighborhood of Bayatas, in the city of Kwazon. We are in one of the most deteriorating neighborhoods that make up a fabric from Manila, the capital, a group of sixteen cities for 12 million people. Payatas neighborhood – nearly 200,000 official population, according to at least some estimates – includes a group of population who live almost less than the threshold of poverty.

The cruel reality of the Manila suburb

Payatas is famous because there was a huge urban waste dump, closed in 2017. The landfill has used thousands of people, young merchants, women, and children, all of whom are devoted to the informal economy for recycling. “Excavations”, most of them are children on the street, the things and the chosen materials that are recycled or recycled (plastic, minerals, paper, glass and more), and their opposite for a few bizo for brokers or young merchants. But with the closure of the landfill, “a step forward” according to the authorities, the living conditions of the old files that are still present in the region have worsened, and unemployment is the main factor.

Healing “neglected” wounds

Here, it is among the poorest families and most deserted in the Philippine capital, where the terrible season of “Drug War” – the campaign launched by then President Rodrigo Deuttanti, called for payment of accounts before the International Criminal Court – more victims have been accused. Here the “death teams”, and groups of armed and unknown executioners who, without notice or mercy, and above all, without any judgment, were devoted to eliminating men, adults and youth, because they owe or suspected small stores or participate in drug smuggling. This season, which is justice in the international community, left deep injuries that sell “ocean angels”, treatment and recovery. They are people, priests, dedicated, volunteers, youth from the dioceses or university, who included courage and a decisive batch perfect for Francisco’s words. His call has become “to go to the parties” and come here to “neglected” meat. Now that the Pope has returned to the Father’s house, “they feel a stronger desire to preserve this legacy, that is, the task of being the hire of Christ that touchs and leads comfort and hopes for the hearts he suffers from,” Father Beilario explains with “Lail Oservitor Romano”: marginalized, and in your memory, we renew our commitment. “

Help the families of “war on drugs”

Religious Vicenciano is the director of “Adamson University” in Manila, but at the same time, he is a real priest on the street, and he is a priest, once he leaves the chapter, he is walking on a motorcycle or by car to listen, recognize and celebrate the Mass with the women of Payatas. There are hundreds of injured widows and mothers who lost children or husbands in this tragic situation of modern history. The well -known image, nicknamed “La Piedad Filipina” – is an interesting photographer Rafy Lerma (an unexpected woman who carries her partner who was newly killed on July 23, 2016) – is the icon that depicts brilliantly and expresses that suffering.

The Catholic Organization, “Solidarity with Orphans and Widows” (SOW), which was climbed by Father Danny, provided economic assistance to the families of the victims of deaths outside the judiciary, but also concrete of psychological and spiritual assistance, because these women need to listen, see their stories, and get a shoulder to cry. Pilario helps them put this pain in the hands of God and move forward. When looking at Al Ain, the priest remembers “the human cost of state violence: there are dead fathers in front of their children and their wives imprisoned for several months without accusing them. Justice should extend to all victims of violence. Many widows still cannot accept what happened. ” “But life continues,” and confirms. Thinking about his experience, “I told myself that the life of forgiveness, which Jesus prayed on the cross can only be fulfilled if those who remain in the world have a decent life. This is why we strive for these women and their children to experience the fullness of life, goodness, happiness and peace.

Divides and challenges of restoring unity

Payatas women need this, as well as the entire Filipino nation, which, when approaching the general elections on May 12, is torn, at a stage of deep polarization. The election campaign, which began on February 11, was marked by the issue of Doterti, which was arrested for the former president for crimes against humanity – specifically with the “war on drugs” that he depicted and promoted – by order of the International Criminal Court, but who still appears as a candidate for the head of the town of Davao, where he started his political profession.

To restore unity, the Church wanted to seek help and trust in mercy: the bishops of the Philippines were promoted on April 27, the second Easter, or “Domingo de la Devina Mesericordia”, an official work to devote during the masses in all the churches of the country. In Manila – FIDES reports – from the third Sunday of Lent, the inevitable nation by the nation, a “mandatory prayer” in the dioceses, every day, during the masses. “O Lord, expands your strong hand and directing our nation, at this time of crisis, conflict and confusion”, calls for the text of prayer.

Rami’s stories, a seventy -year -old grandmother who was raised by six grandchildren, Anna and Jesse, and the widows of young people with young children. Father Daniel Billario expects “the light of the truth to guide us to guide us along the path that leads to unity and peace.” For these women, justice will open the path of healing and reconciliation. The jubilee year inspires walking together in a new hope. ”