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Posted: October 7, 2006 |
| CHRA CONDEMNS THE KILLING OF A BELOVED BISHOP OF THE PEOPLE |
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Hustisya Unity Statement: '0 Day of Wrath, 0 Day of Mourning' September 11: A day to remember what terrorism means Statement from the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Chairperson |
The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) strongly condemns the murder of the Most Reverend Bishop Alberto Ramento of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) last Tuesday morning. We share in the grief of his family, friends and his church. We are enraged by this incident which was intended to silence a man of truth and a staunch advocate of peace, justice and human rights. We find the statements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that say his murder was simply in relation to the robbery of the church unacceptable. Bishop Ramento's death comes at a time when the investigations of the cases of political killings are being muddled by a government that wants to wash its hands clean of its crimes. Because the patterns of killings have already been established to the public, those behind the government policy to neutralize political dissenters have now shifted tactics. It is with reason that we believe that the people who wanted him dead planned his killing to appear as a simple criminal case. We grieve and rage over the loss of a good servant of the Lord who served the people well despite the threats to his life. Last Tuesday night, we lit candles in his memory at the Baguio People's Park. We draw strength to continue our struggle for justice from the example Bishop Ramento set while he was still alive. We will continue to work and demand for justice for Bishop Ramento and all victims of state terrorism until it is served. Justice
for Bishop Ramento! For reference:
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