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On the Murder of Bishop Alberto Ramento
by PARRDS
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006 at 5:20 PM
Another Candle Extinguished—but the Crusade Continues
Bishop Alberto Ramento was like a lighted candle for peasants, farm-workers, laborers and the disadvantaged, asserting their human rights ; to live a life with dignity. He was a flicker in the dark, a hope for people who have otherwise found despair in the midst of injustice and poverty in the country.
Early morning on October 3, 2006, he was brutally murdered. He was stabbed to death inside the convent by two (2) unidentified assailants. His light forcibly extinguished not by the Great Author of life but by those who are afraid of the truth and afraid of the light.
His co-workers would attest that Bishop Ramento feared for his life. He confided that he was receiving death threats and is among those in the list of the military’s order of battle (OB) because of his active involvement in the defense and promotion of peoples’ human rights. He must have been aware too, that men of God like him, are not spared of persecution –even death, by forces bent to sow terror and falsehood.
Partnership for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development Services (PARRDS) mourns Bishop Ramento’s death and joins the outcry of the sundry who seeks peace, justice, truth and freedom for every human being to enjoy. We condemn the unabated killings and are aghast of the vicious attack on human rights—to human life.
We hold accountable the government for having flopped in its primary obligation to secure the welfare and human rights of its citizens. Impunity reigns and it failed to stop the spate of summary executions.
The murder of the Bishop Alberto Ramento, chair of the Supreme Council of the Bishops of the Philippine Independent Church, reinforces the notion and prevailing sentiment among human rights advocates, that ‘no one is safe’.
For us and the rest who have worked with the revered Bishop, his light was and will never be snuffed out. We will always look upon it and will never forget that his is just but, one of the lighted candles glowing in the dark.
Much more, we fear no evil for the great source of light is with us and shall be guided by Him as we go on with our struggle for justice, peace and human rights.
“Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men ; protect me from violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war everyday.” (Psalm 140 : 1-2)
8 octobre 2006
Ms. Belinda Formanes
Executive Director
Mr. Oca Francisco
Chairman
Partnership for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development Services, Inc. [PARRDS]
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