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Slain Italian priest inspires indigenous people in Mindanao

Father Tentorio remembered on fourth anniversary of his assassination
Slain Italian priest inspires indigenous people in Mindanao

Indigenous people and human rights activists march Oct. 16 in Manila to mark the fourth anniversary of the killing of Italian Father Fausto Tentorio, a renowned human rights activist. (Photo by Rene Sandajan)

Published: October 16, 2015 09:33 AM GMT
Updated: October 15, 2015 11:32 PM GMT

An Italian priest who was killed in the southern Philippines four years ago continues to be a source of inspiration for indigenous people in Mindanao.

"His legendary work lives in the hearts and minds of thousands of indigenous people," said Agong Capus of the Church Office for International Networking in the Philippines.

Father Fausto Tentorio, a member of the Rome-based Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions society, was fatally shot outside his parish church in Arakan town, North Cotabato province, on Oct. 17, 2011.

His parishioners, mostly indigenous people, remember him as an ardent defender of human rights, social justice, and peace.

During his stay in Mindanao, Father Tentorio enabled the operation of 80 day care centers in indigenous communities and was instrumental in the establishment of 10 Ata-Manobo tribal schools in Davao del Norte province.

He also supported the education of at least 3,000 children from indigenous and farming communities.

On the eve of the Italian missionary's death anniversary, human rights activists, indigenous people, and faith groups marched in Manila to demand justice.

"The people gather for prayer and action to admonish the state that has been remiss in its responsibility to render swift justice for [Father Tentorio's] extrajudicial killing," said Capus, adding that the unresolved case "exposed the culture of impunity gripping our land."

Capus noted that the indigenous people in Mindanao, collectively known as Lumad, are still "under attack" by government troops who reportedly occupied their communities and schools.

"Teachers and Lumad students are being harassed, school operations have been hampered and threatened, and some have been forcibly closed down," he said.

Nardy Sabino, general secretary of the Promotion of Church People's Response, noted that the Father Fausto Tentorio Memorial School, which is being operated by the Mindanao Interfaith Service Inc., has been accused of being a front for communist rebels and ordered closed early in October.

"This illustrates the pervasiveness of attacks on Lumad schools throughout Mindanao," said Sabino.

The Save Our Schools Network for education in tribal communities reported 95 cases of harassment and attacks on schools in the past year.

On Sept. 1, alleged members of a paramilitary group hunting communist rebels killed Emerito Samarca, executive director of a school for indigenous people in Lianga town, Surigao del Sur province.

"As we remember the ministry of [Father Tentorio], we are both inspired and determined to continue the advocacy and solidarity with the Lumad in Mindanao," said Sabino who also called for the immediate pullout of soldiers from tribal communities and schools and the disbandment of paramilitary groups in Mindanao.

"We trumpet our unwavering stand for justice to [Father Tentorio] and other victims of extrajudicial killings," said Capus.

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