Climate of terror back, says bishop

Killing one’s perceived enemies will not permanently solve the problem if the root … which is social injustice and inequality, is not addressed Gerardo Alminaza San Carlos Bishop

BACOLOD CITY—A climate of fear and terror, similar to what the country experienced during the martial law years, has returned as the government intensifies its campaign against illegal drugs and crime, a Catholic bishop in Negros Occidental province said.

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said the police’s Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operation, which was meant to address the escalating incidents of lawlessness and criminality, had been a cause of concern following the killing of six persons in Negros Oriental province on Dec. 20.

Killings feared

Close to 50 people were arrested during the simultaneous operations. Among those taken into police custody was a lay minister, who was arrested even if the warrant showed a different family name.

“Climate of fear and terror is back, as in martial law years. More human rights violations and extrajudicial killings are feared,” Alminaza told the Inquirer.

Senior Supt. Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental provincial police director, said policemen were forced to retaliate after some of the subjects of search warrants involving unlicensed firearms and illegal drugs fought back.

Sanctuary

Five were killed in Guihulngan City, while another died in Santa Catalina town, both in Negros Oriental.

Alminaza said the Catholic Church had been offering sanctuary to those who needed help and a venue for dialogue to resolve conflicts and avoid more bloodshed and loss of lives.

“Killing one’s perceived enemies will not permanently solve the problem if the root of the problem, which is social injustice and inequality, is not addressed,” Alminaza said.

He said Maximo Tamban, a lay minister in the Diocese of San Carlos, was among those arrested and jailed even if the search warrant served to him bore the name “Maximo Marco.”

Alminaza said Tamban had informed him that he did not own the gun found in his bedroom, stressing this could have been planted by policemen when family members were asked to leave the house during the search.

Independent body

“Our security forces claimed they followed procedures and committed no violations, yet we have people claiming otherwise,” the bishop said.

He said an independent body should investigate and validate these conflicting claims.

“We pray for all those killed and their families who mourn as our government troops continue their crackdown on so-called lawless citizens of our country. We pray also for them, who are simply obeying orders as service to our country, that they may always uphold and respect everyone’s dignity and rights in the fulfillment of their duties,” Alminaza said.