POSITION STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

PHILIPPINE PEDIATRIC SOCIETY, INC.

  Violence must end. These nigh daily reports of brutal, senseless deaths, especially those against children, cast a dark image over our nation, a nation known for its resilience, happiness and hospitality. Indeed, these are times of economic hardship for the country and the strength of our character and our faith is tested everyday. No hardship however, can excuse the utter disregard for the value of human life.

          We, the Philippine Pediatric Society, feel especially disturbed by violence perpetrated against children - the most innocent members of our society, the most vulnerable and the ones most in need of our protection. For Pediatricians, who are on the front lines of the battle children face against disease daily, this situation is offensive.  As individuals who have dedicated our lives to the improvement and preservation of human life, this violence is an affront to everything our profession stands for. But more importantly, on a fundamental level, this is an outrage to our common humanity and our spirit as a Filipino Nation. As pediatricians, together with others we work to give young Filipinos a fighting chance for a better life. Yet somewhere out there, that chance is selfishly, carelessly and savagely taken away. The violence against children is an attack not just on individual lives, it is an attack on our future.

          As sworn guardians of the health and wellness of our youngest citizens, the Philippine Pediatric Society denounces this violence and appeals to our countrymen everywhere to promote peace and well-being within our communities.

          This is a time that calls for profound introspection by every Filipino. No one wants to live in a world where fear reigns. Surely it is not just an epidemic of murderous madness that has afflicted some of our countrymen, but worst among these is society’s seeming indifference to all of it.  But, we, the PPS, is certain that one act, multiplied by 93 million Filipinos will definitely turn the situation around.

          We help bring life into the world, but let us all work together in keeping that life in this world. Let us compound our compassion and counteract the situation. It would be a much better world than one where we breathe a sigh of relief every night that today, it wasn’t you or your child. Let us look forward. Let us all look forward to life. We Pediatricians do.