ICHRP backs Bishop Alminaza

ICHRP backs Bishop Alminaza

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza
Photo from Facebook page of Bishop Gerardo Alminaza

By Nestor Burgos

The Philippine Reporter

VANCOUVER–A global network concerned about the human rights situation in the Philippines has denounced what it considered as vilification of a Philippine bishop who has consistently spoken out against human rights violations in the Philippines.

In a statement dated March 20, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) expressed support for Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos on Negros Island against the “malicious red-tagging”, referring to the linking of human rights defenders and government critics to the armed underground organizations including the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army.

The coalition, which includes as members leaders of various global churches including in Canada, decried statements against Alminaza by Lorraine Badoy and Jefrrey Celiz, hosts of an online program on SMNI broadcast company.

Badoy, a former spokesperson of the government’s National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Celiz, a self-proclaimed rebel returnee, had described a statement of Alminaza calling for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels as “diabolical and demonic.”

The two have repeatedly accused progressive lawyers, church people, legislators, environmental and human rights advocates and journalists, of being sympathizers or members of the CPP and NPA.

Human rights advocates have pointed out that the practice of linking activists to armed groups have led to killings and arrests often based on charges that were later dismissed by courts.

“ICHRP is well aware of Lorraine Badoy’s work as a serial red-tagger, earning her the distinction of being on the infamous list of Duterte minions whom ICHRP continues to work to have sanctioned by the international community through Magnitsky laws,” according to a statement issued by ICHRP Chairperson Peter Murphy.

The Magnitsky law authorizes the United States government to impose sanctions on foreign government officials involved in human rights violations.

“ICHRP expresses its gratitude and unwavering support for Bishop Gerardo Alminaza for his courageous public stands in support of a resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the (National Democratic Front of the Philippines,” Murphy said.

“ICHRP supports the work of Bishop Alminaza and shares his conviction that pursuing peace should not be one-sided, militarized or highly politicized,” he said.

ICHRP is the latest among organizations and individuals who have expressed support for Alminaza since last month after the SMNI hosts criticized the prelate for his statement.

The clergy under the Diocese of San Carlos have also expressed support for the prelate.

“We strongly stand with our bishop in this struggle and endeavor to advance peace and justice because it is but part of our life and prophetic mission of the Church to lend our voice so that the cry of the poor; our marginalized brothers and sisters and all victims of injustices be heard. Pope Francis explicitly remarked, ‘no peace without justice, and no justice without freedom’,” according to a joint statement of the clergy issued on March 10.

Alminaza has been vocal against extrajudicial killings on Negros Island where about 100 members and leaders of progressive organizations have been gunned down since January 2017. In 2019, the bishop directed the ringing of church bells in his diocese to call for a stop to the killings.

He has also spoken out against projects he believes threaten the environment including the putting up of coal-fired power plants on the island.