Pope Francis prayed on May 31 that govenment leaders’ consciences would “be touched so that enormous sums spent to possess more armaments and to perfect them be instead destined to the promotion of sufficient research to prevent such catastrophes in the future.”

Pope Francis urged government leaders to “take a far-sighted attitude, helping the most needy now and putting in place long-term economic and social solutions.”

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) welcomed the statement of Pope Francis. It said that this is an “urgent appeal in the face of rising militarism and fascism while people are suffering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Among these is the Duterte regime which is obsessed with purchasing attack helicopters, bombs, cannons and other war matériel to wage war and suppress the democratic rights of the Filipino people.” In line with the call of Pope Francis, the people must demand the realignment of war funds to research and emergency public health and economic measures to alleviate the sufferings of the people.