MANILA - Cause-oriented group Tindig Pilipinas on Easter Sunday urged the public to curb the "hatred" and disunity caused by the labels "dilawan" and "Dutertard" which are used to describe opposing political leanings.

The term "Dutertard" is scornfully used to describe supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte, who are viewed by critics as incapable of tolerating any criticism against the leader.

The tag "dilawan" (yellowish), meanwhile, is associated with supporters of former President Benigno Aquino III, who are often accused by Duterte' supporters of plotting to remove him from office.

"In the spirit of Easter, we call on all Filipinos to move towards ending the polarization and acrimony that punctuate our national life. Political hatreds caused by labels such as 'dilawan' or 'Dutertard' detract from our common humanity," Tindig Pilipinas said in a statement.

"Labels and name-calling prevent us from opening our hearts to the suffering and injustice before us and, in the process, allow our hearts to harden and deny difficult truths," it added.

Tindi Pilipinas said that while disagreements will continue to exist, the public should "elevate the national discourse and to foster our sense of nationhood."

"We must strive to act and speak dispassionately with charity, having the sincere desire to dialogue and seek the truth with those from whom we differ," it said.

"Only when we speak and act with prudence and in truth can we avoid labels (we ourselves have at times been remiss) and transcend our own political persuasions and ideological affiliations. Beyond those divisions, we know and we are - one people."

The group also said it will continue to condole with victims of human rights violations, migrant workers, and the marginalized, as well as call for accountability on the administration.

"But, even as we are faced with these grim truths, our Christian faith teaches us that Easter Sunday comes after Good Friday, hope prevails over despair and good conquers evil. It is this firm optimism that we know that this present darkness will not last forever," it said.

Tindig Pilipinas counts members of the political opposition in its ranks, including Liberal Party president Francis Pangilinan, and Senators Risa Hontiveros and Antonio Trillanes IV.

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