The killing of three priests over the last six months — of Fr. Marcelito Paez last December, 2017, Fr. Mark Ventura in April, and Fr. Richmond Nilo this June — has provoked both outrage as well as fears that it is part of the Duterte regime’s campaign to silence its critics. Priests have been murdered…
Ni RENE BOY ABIVA I Ginawa kong bukas ang ‘yong simbahan para sa mga anak mong ‘alang matuluyan pinagpasyahan kong ito’y maging kanilang kanlungan sa gaya ni Aling Maring, Tata Mario at iba pa na mga nangagsipaglayas sa Baryo Kalbaryo nang hambalusin sila ng militarisasyon, ‘di lang mga tao, Ama, ang aking kinanlong kasama pati…
“The culture of impunity in this country does not exempt Church people and those who are genuinely serving the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, and the rejected.”
Ventura was lying on his right side beside the altar. It was apparent he was getting ready to take off his vestments when shot by still unknown assailants.