UCA News
Contribute

Philippine Catholic priests make death threats claim

Trio call on church leaders to make a stronger stand against killings and human rights abuses
Philippine Catholic priests make death threats claim

A group of nuns 'pray over' the three priests who claimed to have received threats to their lives in Manila on March 11. (Photo by Joe Torres) 

Published: March 12, 2019 05:51 AM GMT
Updated: March 12, 2019 05:59 AM GMT

Three Filipino Catholic priests, known for being outspoken against a wave of drug-related killings, claimed they have received death threats in recent weeks.

Jesuit priest Albert Alejo, Divine Word missionary priest Flavie Villanueva, and diocesan priest Robert Reyes told a hastily organized media briefing on March 11 that they are in fear of their lives.

"We're not safe," said Father Reyes, known as the "running priest" for his penchant to go on long-distance runs to draw attention to human rights issues.

"We are afraid," said Father Alejo, adding that they were "fortunate" to have received threats unlike the "thousands of others killed without warning."

The government has acknowledged the deaths of 5,176 "drug personalities" in 119,841 anti-narcotics operations since July 1, 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte came to power. 

Authorities, however, said all were killed while resisting arrest or attacking arresting officers.

Human rights groups claim more than 20,000 drug-related killings have been classified by police as "deaths under investigation."

The threats against the three priests come soon after Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, the diocese where most drug-related killings have occurred, and Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, a vocal critic of Duterte, announced that they had also received death threats.

Authorities offered to provide security to the bishops and members of the clergy, which was declined.

Father Villanueva said police should give the poor more protection. 

"If the police are sincere in wanting to protect lives, they should be in [urban poor] areas where many are on drug lists," said the priest.

The priests said they would continue speaking out against killings despite the threats because "speaking against evil is our moral obligation."

Father Villanueva showed video footage of a masked man who tried to enter his office and residence as proof of the threat he faces.

In 2018, gunmen shot dead three Catholic priests.

Father Mark Ventura was killed in the town of Gattaran, in Cagayan province on April 29, four months after Father Marcelito Paez was killed in Nueva Ecija province.

In June, Father Richmond Nilo was shot dead in the city of Cabanatuan.

"The deadly words of Duterte against Catholics are like a dagger pointed at us," said Father Reyes.

The president has repeatedly lambasted the Catholic Church and its leaders for being corrupt. He even said bishops should be killed in one of his public appearances.

"The message is clear. It’s not only people that [Duterte] wants dead but our faith as well," said Father Reyes.

Father Alejo called on those behind the threats to "stop the killings [and] stop doing this business that you’ve come to enjoy."

The priests also appealed to the public, including church leaders, to speak out against human rights abuses and the killings.

"We are calling on the entire Church.... The answer should not be silence, but clear, courageous proclamations and conviction," said Father Reyes.

The priests said bishops "should be stronger."

The presidential palace dismissed threats against the clergy as the work of "pranksters" or by "anti-Duterte trolls" to paint the president in a bad light.

Duterte spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said sending threats over the phone "is the easiest and most convenient thing to do [because] you can't trace the source."

He said the threats could have also come from "personal enemies" of the priests and bishops.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia