President Rodrigo Duterte. File Photo

MANILA- Not a "reign of terror" but a "reign of peace."

This was how Malacañang responded to fresh criticism from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

The CBCP, in a pastoral letter read out at Mass services starting Saturday night, criticized the government anti-narcotics crackdown for terrorizing the poor. The CBCP reiterated that killing people was not the answer to the drug menace.

"An even greater cause of concern is the indifference of many to this kind of wrong. It is considered as normal, and, even worse, something that (according to them) needs to be done," the bishops said.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella fired back at the CBCP, saying the public now feels a "reign of peace" instead of the terror described by bishops.

"The efforts of these Church leaders might be put to better use in practical catechetics that build strong moral character among the faithful, and so contribute more to the reign of peace felt by ordinary citizens everywhere, especially those who are innocent of illegal activities," Abella said in a text message.

A banner saying "Huwag Kang Papatay" (Thou shall not kill) is displayed outside the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao on Sunday. Abner Mercado, ABS-CBN News

He added that leaders of the Church are "out of touch" with its members who are in favor of the war on drugs and its effects.

"The officials of the CBCP are apparently out of touch with the sentiments of the faithful who overwhelmingly support the changes in the Philippines - turning the nation into a safer place for families, working people, especially young night shift workers, far from the 'terror' the bishops paint rather dramatically," he said.

More than 7,000 people have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte launched his intensive campaign against illegal drugs 7 months ago. Many of those killed died in police operations after allegedly refusing to surrender or attempting to fight back. -- With a report from Reuters