This story was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com).
Vol. VI, No. 36, Oct. 15-21, 2006


DEMOCRATIC SPACE

For Genuine Truth and Justice

 

We speak with deep sorrow and loss as we learned of the senseless killing of our bishop, The Most Rev. Alberto B. Ramento, D.D.  He is a man of strong will and logic, with deep passion and courage that earned him the humble honor and respect of an enigmatic minister of the poor people, champion against tyranny, injustice and corruption.

 

Behind that seemingly stern face is a loving and selfless father not only to his own children but to every lay and priest in the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. He has been an exemplary figure worthy to be called a true Christian. 

 

But popular as he may be among the majority poor and oppressed, he has also earned the ire of those whose greed and power he has questioned.   He has embodied the IFI’s prophetic call Para Sa Diyos at  Para Sa Bayan, For God and Country in every deed and in every word up to his last  breath. For indeed, in his speech in one of the forum, “there is no greater love than to shed one last drop of your blood for your beloved people”.

 

We strongly disagree with the PNP’s insistent report that robbery is the main purpose of his cruel death.  With the presentation of four suspected killers, PNP concluded that the CASE IS CLOSED.  It has been known in the church community and his family that the good bishop has long received death threats and harassment due to his support in the struggle of the Hacienda Luisita workers, his condemnation to human rights violations and extra-judicial killings of political activists, and his being critical to Charter Change, dictatorial rule, electoral fraud and corruption.

 

To regard this as a simple case of robbery left more rooms of questions unanswered. Bishop Ramento is a very simple man living a very simple life. So, how can a simply clad bishop spared of jewels, own transportation and living in an old, dilapidated church (which incidentally has no regular sacramental services with its choir loft serving as the bishop’s sleeping quarter) be a target of allegedly killers out to loot for wealth? Though we do not want the same incident to happen to others, but why not the nearby establishments who have more resources that can lure robbers?  If not political motives, what other purpose for the sake of argument has brought this inhuman act to our beloved bishop? 

 

The message is clear. THOSE WHO SHOW DISSENT WILL BE SILENCED. The killing of Fr. William Tadena (Tarlac), the frustrated murder of Fr. Allan Caparro and wife Aileen(Samar), the harassment of Fr. Terry Revollido (Dean of Aglipay Central Theological Seminary in Pangasinan); Fr. Romeo Tagud (Negros Occidental); Fr. Marco Sulayao (Iloilo); Fr. Sonny Teleron (Western Mindanao), Fr. Mario Quince (Bulacan), Fr. Renato Respicio (Nueva Ecija) and just yesterday, October 7, Fr. Antonio Ablon (Northern Mindanao) and others strongly and clearly convey this message. Aside from being church leaders, with their resolute commitment in serving the poor, oppressed and exploited, they are equally active in ecumenical forums and have strong sense of solidarity with the basic sectors and people’s organizations.  There is no doubt that their names have been included in the list of the Order of Battle for the harassments they continuously experience. But for us, the youth, they are our co-journeyer and inspiration as we continue to seek life in its fullness. 

 

In our quest for justice and truth, we condemn in our strongest term, the brutal killing of our beloved Bishop Alberto B. Ramento and all victims of extra-judicial killings.   The Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente urge President Gloria   Macapagal Arroyo to look deeper into this case and to all other cases of extra-judicial killings.  We are consistently one with the whole church and with the family and friends of Bp. Alberto B. Ramento in our resolved stand to seek genuine truth and justice, and amidst fear and danger, continue to work for peace. 

 

Reference:

Donna Lou S. Galingan

National President

Youth of the the Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Contact# 09227042864

Posted by Bulatlat

© 2006 Bulatlat  Alipato Media Center

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