The Promotion for Church People’s Response (PCPR), an alliance of progressive groups, yesterday condemned the harassment of Fr. Romeo Tagud of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente by alleged military elements in Negros Oriental.
Tagud is the secretary-general of the PCPR chapter in Negros Oriental.
In a statement posted on the website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the PCPR said Tagud received a white envelope containing a live M-16 bullet last Aug. 3.
The PCPR believes that Tagud’s human rights work has made him an alleged “target” of the military.
“The harassment happening to Fr. Tagud is a clear wicked, immoral and unjust act to silence him in pursuing his sincere advocacy to respect human rights and the international humanitarian law,” the PCPR said.
“As a church worker, Fr. Tagud adhered himself to the Christian tenet of ‘love the least of thy brethren’ and uphold the democratic rights of the poor and the oppressed to assert and exercise their basic right to life,” it added. – Sandy Araneta