Bishop Alberto “Abet” Uy of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon of the Diocese of Talibon on Tuesday expressed support for the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

All sectors must cooperate in eradicating illegal drug trade which is no simple task, said Uy during the joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Uy also welcomed the invitation of both bishops to the meeting which was intended to devise measures that would solve the drug problem such as the Catholic Church’s drug rehabilitation program in Talibon.

For his part, Parcon expressed his support for the Duterte administration and appreciation for its “political will” in implementing an all-out war on illegal drugs.

The joint meeting of the two big councils of the provincial government was the first event of its kind attended by the two Church leaders in Bohol.

Also in attendance during the meeting which was led by Gov. Edgar Chatto were members of religious groups who also expressed support for the government’s bid to eradicate illegal narcotics trade.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in Manila welcomed the recent suspension of the Philippine National Police’s war on drugs in the wake of a scandal involving the abduction and murder of South Korean trader Jee Ick-joo inside Camp Crame on Oct. 18, 2016.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, head the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Laity, said that the suspension would give drug dependents an opportunity to be rehabilitated.

The CBCP and the Duterte administration have been at loggerheads over the spate of killings allegedly linked to the government’s anti-drug drive. (Rey Tutas)