Priests to get tight security in Jolo

Orlando Cardinal Quevedo of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. INQUIRER file photo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Priests, nuns and lay leaders in Jolo, Sulu are now being guarded and closely watched by police and military authorities to protect them against the crime group Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements, Orlando Cardinal Quevedo said.

Quevedo, also archbishop of Cotabato, said here on Tuesday that the measure was welcomed by the Catholic Church.

He said it would be a precautionary move to prevent attacks on, including kidnapping of, priests, nuns and lay leaders.

“They are always guarded within Jolo and their movements are monitored by the military,” he said.

Msgr. David Alonzo, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, said there are at least eight priests, nuns, and missionaries in Sulu, headed by Bishop Angelito Lampon of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Quevedo and Lampon belong to the same religious order.

Alonzo said members of the religious community in Sulu, who are directly under the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, are aware of the dangers and risks of spreading the Catholic faith in the province.

“We have nuns and brothers in different congregations and convents in Sulu and assigned in some schools. They are aware of the situation there,” he said.

Quevedo said another precautionary measure the Catholic Church has taken is to prohibit priests and other members of the religious community from venturing into areas outside of Jolo.

“Another policy is that they are not allowed to move out of the town of Jolo,” he said.

While precautionary measures had been taken, Quevedo said the safety of members of the religious community in Sulu could not be sure they are safe.

“One cannot be assured of their safety. Anything can really happen,” he said.

Alonzo said criminal elements hardly touch priests and nuns these days but past experiences showed that they are not safe from harm just the same.

On Dec. 28, 1990, Fr. Benjamin Inocencio, OMI, was shot behind the Jolo Cathedral.

The Abu Sayyaf was tagged in the Nov. 14, 1993 kidnapping of American missionary Charles Watson in Sulu. He was released less than one month later.

In 1993, three Spanish nuns were kidnapped in Jolo.

In 1997, American priest Fr. Clarence Bertelsman, was also abducted in Jolo.

On Feb. 4, 1997, Jolo Bishop Ben de Jesus was killed in an attack just outside the Jolo Cathedral when two gunmen shot him at close range. He died of six bullet wounds, one in the head. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao