UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK Press Statement on the Killing of Bishop Alberto Ramento
Press Statement
October 4, 2006
Reference: Eman Villanueva
Secretary General
Tel no.: 97585935
Justice for Bishop Ramento, human rights defender and man of peace
There is no relent for this murderous government to silence the vocal, the fearless and the defenders of human rights and of the people. Now they have killed a man of peace, a man of the church, a man of the people.
We in the United Filipinos in Hong Kong condemn in the strongest possible terms the recent killing of Bishop Alberto Ramento, known human rights defender, co-chairperson of the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum and founding convenor of the Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties.
Bishop Ramento, former Obispo Maximo (Supreme Bishop) of the progressive Philippine Independent Church, was stabbed to death on October 3 inside his rectory in Tarlac. He was stabbed seven times at the back and to his heart.
The local police are quick to claim that Bishop Ramento’s death was a case of robbery with homicide even without holding an initial investigation.
We think otherwise. Who would steal from a poor man from a poor church? Who would kill an old and defenseless man?
Bishop Ramento’s murder is clearly political. He was a man of peace and a defender of the people. He had been vocal in questioning the legitimacy of Gloria Arroyo’s presidency and unafraid in expressing his condemnation of the present government’s hand in the political killings. Although weakened by old age, he is wizened and made strong by his principles and stance – the very reasons he was killed.
He rallied support to the struggle of the farm workers of Hacienda Luisita, a vast sugar plantation in Tarlac. His commitment to their cause has earned him their love and respect. To them and many others, he was the “Bishop of the Poor Peasants and Workers”.
To us migrant workers, he was a symbol of hope and empowerment. We have had the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the matters of human rights situation in our country in one of his many visits to Hong Kong to meet with his congregation in the Philippine Independent Church. At his age, he stood undaunted for justice and peace. He showed us what it meant to have faith with action.
We knew that when he opened his mouth to speak and moved his arms to take action, he was speaking not only for those in the Philippines but for us migrant workers as well.
He was vocal and they silenced him. He was active and unafraid, and they killed him.
Bishop Ramento’s death adds to the growing accountability of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government in this spate of political killings. We will not be easily deceived by a mere change in tactic from motorcycle-riding assassins to so-called “burglars”. This is a part of a national campaign under the guise of “all-out war policy” to silence and “neutralize” their perceived “enemies of the state”.
We join his family and friends and the Filipino people in mourning the loss of a man who has shown unwavering love and commitment to serve the poor and call for a swift and independent investigation on his death to bring the perpetrators to justice.
We likewise call on all peace-loving people, the religious and human rights advocates and the international community in joining us in this campaign to call for justice not only for Bishop Ramento’s death but of those many others.
While we lost another strong comrade and friend in the movement to defend human rights and peace in the Philippines, his death will not cow us from speaking up and fighting for the cause.
We will continue his legacy and shall remain as steadfast and vigilant as he was.
October 4, 2006
Reference: Eman Villanueva
Secretary General
Tel no.: 97585935
Justice for Bishop Ramento, human rights defender and man of peace
There is no relent for this murderous government to silence the vocal, the fearless and the defenders of human rights and of the people. Now they have killed a man of peace, a man of the church, a man of the people.
We in the United Filipinos in Hong Kong condemn in the strongest possible terms the recent killing of Bishop Alberto Ramento, known human rights defender, co-chairperson of the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum and founding convenor of the Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties.
Bishop Ramento, former Obispo Maximo (Supreme Bishop) of the progressive Philippine Independent Church, was stabbed to death on October 3 inside his rectory in Tarlac. He was stabbed seven times at the back and to his heart.
The local police are quick to claim that Bishop Ramento’s death was a case of robbery with homicide even without holding an initial investigation.
We think otherwise. Who would steal from a poor man from a poor church? Who would kill an old and defenseless man?
Bishop Ramento’s murder is clearly political. He was a man of peace and a defender of the people. He had been vocal in questioning the legitimacy of Gloria Arroyo’s presidency and unafraid in expressing his condemnation of the present government’s hand in the political killings. Although weakened by old age, he is wizened and made strong by his principles and stance – the very reasons he was killed.
He rallied support to the struggle of the farm workers of Hacienda Luisita, a vast sugar plantation in Tarlac. His commitment to their cause has earned him their love and respect. To them and many others, he was the “Bishop of the Poor Peasants and Workers”.
To us migrant workers, he was a symbol of hope and empowerment. We have had the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the matters of human rights situation in our country in one of his many visits to Hong Kong to meet with his congregation in the Philippine Independent Church. At his age, he stood undaunted for justice and peace. He showed us what it meant to have faith with action.
We knew that when he opened his mouth to speak and moved his arms to take action, he was speaking not only for those in the Philippines but for us migrant workers as well.
He was vocal and they silenced him. He was active and unafraid, and they killed him.
Bishop Ramento’s death adds to the growing accountability of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government in this spate of political killings. We will not be easily deceived by a mere change in tactic from motorcycle-riding assassins to so-called “burglars”. This is a part of a national campaign under the guise of “all-out war policy” to silence and “neutralize” their perceived “enemies of the state”.
We join his family and friends and the Filipino people in mourning the loss of a man who has shown unwavering love and commitment to serve the poor and call for a swift and independent investigation on his death to bring the perpetrators to justice.
We likewise call on all peace-loving people, the religious and human rights advocates and the international community in joining us in this campaign to call for justice not only for Bishop Ramento’s death but of those many others.
While we lost another strong comrade and friend in the movement to defend human rights and peace in the Philippines, his death will not cow us from speaking up and fighting for the cause.
We will continue his legacy and shall remain as steadfast and vigilant as he was.
UNITED FILIPINOS IN HONG KONG (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK)
2/F., New Hall, St. John's Cathedral, 4 Garden Road,
Central, Hong Kong SAR
2/F., New Hall, St. John's Cathedral, 4 Garden Road,
Central, Hong Kong SAR
posted by HKCAHRPP @ 5:49 PM
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