Religious groups deplore ‘pattern of repression’ against people of conscience
The Supreme Bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) criticized government’s “judicial persecution” of activists, pointing out recent arrests, filing of criminal charges and court convictions against them are “gravely troubling.”
In a pastoral letter, IFI Obispo Maximo Joel Porlares said the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government is persecuting people who simply follow the call of conscience.
“We are gravely troubled by the growing use of judicial processes against those who peacefully protest, speak, write, and work in the service of truth and the common good,” he said.
The church leader said the conviction of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Marielle Domequil for terrorism financing last week is part of a pattern of repression against people of conscience.
The pattern includes the filing of criminal charges against participants of the September 21 anti-corruption rally and the harsh dispersal of Indigenous peoples protesting mining operations in Dupax del Norte in Nueva Vizcaya province.
“Their ordeal shows how those who document injustice and organize with conscience are rendered vulnerable to judicial persecution,” Bishop Porlares wrote.
The IFI Supreme Bishop said government’s incessant filing of charges against activists is attacking the people’s steadfast commitment to justice and the common good.
“The growing use of legal action, police force, and court proceedings against dissenting voices is a deliberate assault on conscience and a direct attack on the democratic life of the nation,” he explained.
Porlares called on government to act with integrity and genuine respect for human rights and IFI’s clergy and members to express solidarity to persecuted victims.
“May the Iglesia Filipina Independiente remain a sanctuary for conscience, a companion to those who suffer, and a faithful witness to the God who calls us to do justice,” he said.
‘Unjust conviction’
The country’s assembly of mainline protestant churches also condemned the court decision against Cumpio and Domequil, saying it is deeply dismayed and gravely disturbed by their “unjust conviction.”
The National Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP) said six years have already been taken from Cumpio and Domequil, depriving their families and the communities they love of their presence and service.
“These years can never be returned. The women could have long been free, continuing their service to the poor, the marginalized, and the communities they sought to protect,” the NCCP said.
“Instead, they remain punished for their commitment to justice and truth,” the Council added.
The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) said it is disturbed at the development\, sounding the alarm on the implications for other journalists and mission volunteers.
“When anyone can be subjected to fabricated and manufactured testimony, the dangers of mission and the risks in helping marginalized communities grows significantly,” the Roman Catholic Church group said.
RMP said it continues to believe in and stand by the two young rights defenders as they seek reversal of the court’s guilty verdict.
“We appeal for all people of faith and good will to join us in prayer that this decision will be overturned…We pray that the fabricated evidence against them will be exposed as such, in the months ahead,” it added.
“Even as we grapple with our profound sense of frustration and disbelief at this unjust ruling, we know that Marielle and Frenchie did not commit the acts presented before the court,” RMP said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
