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MANILA, Philippines — Members of religious organizations on Sunday staged a protest in support of several human rights advocates who are facing “malicious” charges.
According to the group, they went to the street to show the public their support for 10 human rights defenders from the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Gabriela, and Karapatan.
“By all appearances, the case was in retaliation for seeking legal protection from State attacks harassment, and other threats,” said the group in a statement.
In a mass attended by the Religious of the Good Shepherd congregation and the ecumenical community, blessings, prayers, and candles were offered in hopes that those charged will be freed from the “malicious charges” when the court renders its judgment on Monday.
“Take these candles as symbols of our appreciation for your commitment to human rights. Never forget that it is only the strength of light that overcomes the darkness. In light, we see the truth,” said one of the protesters.
“When we follow the light of the people longing for justice and freedom, we will never go astray,” they added.
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Meanwhile, One Faith, One Nation, One Voice — a network of church leaders — also expressed concern for the situation of 10 human rights defenders in a statement.
According to them, allowing the 10 human rights defenders “to be unjustly and viciously targeted not only endangers their lives and liberty, [but] it [also] increases the vulnerability of every human rights advocate who acts to defend the rights of the people.”
They then urged Christians to join them together in prayers and petitions for Sr Elenita Belardo, Rev. Fr. Wilfredo Ruazol, Dr. Edith Burgos, and the other seven co-accused.
“May right judgment prevail,“ One Faith, One Nation, One Voice said.
The said statement was signed by several members of the clergy.
The case against the 10 rights advocates happened after the three organizations sought writs of amparo in 2019 before the Supreme Court as Malacañang and the military tagged them as terrorists.
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