Priest scores Church for ‘too much noise’ on RH bill

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—Environmentalist and political activist Fr. Robert Reyes expressed his disappointment at the Catholic Church “for making too much noise” on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, when he believed forest destruction, mining, and the killing of environmental activists are as much a pressing issue.

Reyes, popularly known as the “running priest,” believed environmental conservation is an even “more fundamental” concern, saying the population, whether large or small, would benefit nothing from a depleted environment.

Reyes on Wednesday ended the two-day run from the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City to this town for the soft launch of the Takbundukan (Takbo para sa Kabundukan/ Run for the Mountains).

He started with a 40-kilometer run from Quezon City on the first day, stopping over in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and continued with another 40-km run to Mt. Makiling where he also officiated an early morning Mass.

This time, Reyes was seen with a lightweight bamboo walking stick, handmade by desaparecidos (disappeared) icon and friend Edith Burgos.

It was his first time in his many advocacy runs in the last 16 years to bring along a walking stick which served a purpose during his uphill trek to Mt. Makiling.

While several bishops oppose mining, Reyes said the church does not have a clear pronouncement on the issue as there are “some priests and bishops who are close to mining corporations.”

Without naming names but hinting that this has happened somewhere in southern Philippines, Reyes said there were cases in which bishops clashed on whether to allow mining operations in their area or not.

“Priests are only human. When (mining companies) give them donations, cars, (build) convents for them, or provide monthly and hospitalization allowances, debt of gratitude is created. That’s even when they don’t say if they’re pro or anti (mining),” he said.

Reyes said there is no such thing as a sustainable or regulated mining. “Look at Mt Diwalwal. You don’t see it but God knows what kind of disaster there is (due to) the diggings under the mountain,” he said of the gold-rich mountain in Compostela Valley.

Reyes said he planned to turn the Takbundukan a nationwide campaign “to encourage people to go to the mountains and discover how beautiful and vital forests are to survival.”

Reyes also called for justice for the slain environmentalists by putting behind bars the masterminds in the killings.

He said the idea of Takbundukan first came after the murder of environmentalist and radio man Dr. Gerardo Ortega in Puerto Princesa City in January.

This was followed by the murder of radio commentator Maria Len Somera who was shot dead in Malabon City in March and of forest guard Elpidio Malinao in Bay, Laguna, in May.

Reyes said they were doing the run from Wagwagan (a term for used clothing stores, also where Ortega was shot dead) to Irawan in Puerto Princesa City on June 24, and lay 128 stones in honor of the 128 environmental martyrs slain since the Martial Law.

The ‘running priest’ (left) believes environmental conservation is an even “more fundamental” concern : “…the population, whether large or small, would benefit nothing from a depleted environment.”