Uh oh, this is not a pleasant topic at all, but an important one to address none-the-less. First let me clear up one thing before you ask – it IS our business because we love and serve orphans. We have a vested interest in this topic and it greatly affects our work.
The Philippine Constitution of 1987 says that, “The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.” Further, Articles 256, 258 and 259 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines mandate imprisonment for women who undergo abortion, as well as for any person who assists in the procedure. See this article from the Philippines House of Representatives website for more information. But it would be a mistake to believe that abortions don’t take place in the Philippines.
The Grim Truth
The truth is that abortions, while illegal, are a common every day occurrence in the Philippines. Since they are illegal, these abortions often take place in unsanitary and unsafe conditions resulting in a high number of women being hospitalized or even worse, laid to rest. Thousands of women die every year from unsafe attempts at abortion , whether the abortion was self induced or at the hands of another. Moreover, tens of thousands of women are hospitalized every year due to complications arising from attempted abortions, successful or not. So while illegal, multitudes find it necessary to at least try. Why is this?
I Can’t Afford A(nother) Baby
Poverty parades itself as the grim reaper in the Philippines and those in the womb are not exempt. Try to wrap your mind around this quote from guttmacher.org, “In the Philippines, 37% of all births are either not wanted at the time of pregnancy or entirely unwanted and 54% of all pregnancies are unintended.” With words like “unwanted” and “unintended” it’s no wonder many seek to end the pregnancy. But what makes those precious babies unwanted? Four out of five abortions in the Philippines are for economic reasons. And frequently, they are mothers with several children already and don’t think they can add one more.
Going Underground
To get an abortion, you have to go underground. Some doctors will actually perform abortions in secret, although for them, the risk is great. Another option, even more insidious, is to purchase illegal drugs to end the baby’s (and often the mother’s) life. And the dealers are not hard to find – just hang out at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in the district called Quiapo in Manila, and you will quickly realize what I mean. These low-lifes fraternize near the church to prey on vulnerable women, convincing them what they sell will solve their problem. Except it doesn’t solve the problem left behind after an abortion.
Life
Pro-choice, pro-woman, pro-freedom – none of these buzz phrases addresses the real issue. The real issue is not choice and freedom, the real issue is the sanctity of life.
- “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you...” Jeremiah 1:5
- “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27
- “You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13
The bottom line – God is the author of life. It’s simple and it’s complex, but at the end of the day, we will all answer to the Lord of Life, God Almighty.
Conclusion
There isn’t one. In the Philippines, Mom’s are dying, babies are dying and scum bags are making money off both. And yet there really is a conclusion – it’s Biblical. But will a predominantly catholic country obey God’s word? TBD. So here’s the conclusion – “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
