Since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs began, at least 2,250 drug suspects have been killed by police and at least 3,700 have been murdered by unknown suspects, some of whom accused their victims of either being drug dealers or addicts.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Those killed by vigilantes were often tied and left in the street with signs around their necks identifying them as drug dealers.

Many in the country have hailed Duterte's tactics as an efficient means of removing drugs from their streets but the Catholic Church knows murder is never the answer.

Earlier this week Duterte accused the Church of being hypocritical and began cursing at the Church for its history of child abuse and selfish clergy.

He spoke openly during the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and, in his own way, attempted to get the Church to side with his policies against illegal drugs.

"Most people here are Catholic. If you are a good priest, make them understand that they will die," he stated to the shock of all present.

Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa admitted the Church has the right to respond to the President's controversial comments, even if some of its members are corrupt.

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"Even a sick doctor must still try to cure ailments of others, and, of course, his too," Archbishop Arguelles shared.

"Bishops and priests, who hide serious misdeeds, are harming the Church by their infidelities. if anyone has concrete evidence of misdeed, the authorities better know it and clean the ranks," he continued.

"Churchmen are not perfect. Nevertheless, they are supposed to proclaim what is right and proper even if they themselves fall short of what they teach. The fault of some should not be blamed on all."

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, of Lingayen-Dagupan, stood tall with the Church and its view of Duterte's policies. It is a grave sin to kill.

I am ashamed of the things I read about the Philippines in the international media and more ashamed of what I hear from our leaders," Archbishop Villegas, who is also the bishops' conference president, stated.

Please pray for the Philippines, for the Church, the people and President Duterte. Only through divine intervention can the controversy come to a close.

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