Letter to the Editor - Sisters of the Good Shepherd denounce military harassment in Butuan City

At 9 PM, of Nov. 01, 2006, seven (7) fully-armed men, barged into the convent of the Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd in Butuan City looking for a certain man named George, who, they believe, is hiding in the convent.

These men did not present any search warrant and did not respond to the query of the sisters. They forced themselves into the rooms of the sisters and all over the convent.

The fact that these were heavily-armed men, who did not identify themselves and who forced entry into the peaceful convent and engaged in a search spree without a warrant, is indeed a clear violation of human rights.

We condemn in strongest terms, this pattern of intimidation and harassment perpetrated by instruments of the government which is clearly deliberate and systematic. Uphold Civil Liberties! Stop Political Repression!

Sr. Maureen Catabian, RGS
Chairperson, W-JPIC (Women, Justice and Peace
and Integrity of Creation) Committee
Sisters of the Good Shepherd
1043 Aurora Blvd. Q.C.
Tel 9136407 or 9136435 (Fax)