11/26/2018 Philippines (International Christian Concern) – In Bong Samiento, Kornadal City in the Philippines, despite the increase of drug-related killings, the Catholic Church is raising awareness of human rights in and among the Church and community.

A Catholic diocese has created workshops to help teach and train church members and clergy how to both monitor and document human right abuses within their community. The workshops will begin on November 30 and will last for three days.

The director of social action, Father Ariel Destora, said that his goal is to “arm our parishioners with knowledge of human rights, especially during these trying times.”

Since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, there have been 270 “drug personalities” killed in the city of Koronadal. Many of the families of the victims have come to the church seeking help and justice for their loved ones killed.

In light of all the human rights violations and drug issues, the Church is seeking to use these workshops to help educate leaders and church members on how to combat the human rights violations and properly report and document them.

For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].