Are priests target of ‘tokhang’ now? Hontiveros wants Senate probe

Are priests and members of the clergy of the Catholic Church subject of “tokhang” now? Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros wants to find out.

On Wednesday, Hontiveros filed a resolution seeking for a Senate investigation on the spate of killings and attempted killing of Catholic priests.

“Tinotokhang na rin ba pati ang mga paring Pilipino at hinahanay na rin ba sila sa lista ng mga suspected drug pusher at addicts,” Hontiveros said at the regular Kapihan sa Senado forum.

“Ito ba ay bunga ng marahas na pananalita ni Pangulong Duterte laban sa Catholic Church?” she asked.

Hontiveros filed the resolution in the wake of public outrage over the killing of Fr. Richmond Nilo, who was shot by still unidentified gunmen in Nueva Ecija.

Nilo, a priest of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, was gunned down moments before he was to celebrate Mass in Zaragoza town on June 10.

Nilo was the third priest murdered in the last six months. /kga

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