Activist priest claims ‘death squad’ out to get him; Palace says clergyman can seek writ of amparo

An activist priest has bared how he had supposedly been a target of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), a group being linked by government critics to President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a blog post dated August 26, Father Amado Picardal narrated that on August 11, the security guard of the Redemptorist Monastery in Cebu had informed him that six men on board three motorcycles were looking for him between 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"That was usually the time I would go out to the supermarket and the coffee shop. I immediately concluded that they were the death squad and I was the target. Had I gone out, there would have been no escape for me," Picardal said.

"I recognized  their modus operandi – that’s what I learned from a former member of the Davao Death Squad when we were documenting the extrajudicial killings years before. It was a close call. I  thank God for protecting me," Picardal added.

Picardal said that early this month and in July, he was already informed that some men, wearing helmets, were looking for him.

Picardal disclosed that it was in 2017 when he had obtained information that priests will be the targets of the death squad and that he was "on top of the list."

"When the three priests were killed, I was certain that I could be next. I even received an email message accusing me of being a drug addict," Picardal said.

"Before I left Manila last March to start my life as a hermit, I received a text message from a reliable source confirming that I was indeed going to be targeted for assassination by a death squad," he added.

Since late last year, a total of three priests have been killed: Father Mark Ventura of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao was shot dead after celebrating Mass last April 29;  in December 2017, Father Marcelino Paez of the Diocese of San Jose Nueva Ecija was killed in Nueva Ecija after facilitating the release of a political prisoner.

On June 10, Father Richmond Nilo of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, was killed in a chapel in the town of Zaragoza in Nueva Ecija province as he was preparing to officiate the Holy Mass.

Picardal said he believes that he became the target of the death squad as he has been preaching against extrajudicial killings for the last 20 years.

"I was the spokesperson of the Coalition Against Summary Execution which monitored these killings and assisted the Commission on Human Rights (headed by Senator Leila de lima) and the Human Rights Watch to investigate the killings. I also posted the Collated Report of these killings carried out by the Davao Death Squad (1998-2015) which was included in the complaint submitted to the International Criminal Court by Atty. Jude Sabio," Picardal said.

"I also helped provide sanctuary to former members of the DDS  who will be the witnesses in the ICC case. I was one of the convenors of the Network Against Killings in the Philippines. I  granted interviews to the media – both local and foreign. I have also gone around the country and in the US to give talks on EJK and the Church’s response," he added.

Duterte has repeatedly denied any involvement in the existence and supposed activities of the Davao Death Squad.

Also in his post, Picardal claimed to have received information that the order to kill him supposedly came from Malacañang.

"But I cannot confirm it. I do not have the complete answer. All I know is that there is a death squad determined to kill me. Whatever happens to me – whether the order came from him or not -- the blame will be placed on him for under his regime the culture of death has claimed the lives of over 25,000 people," he said.

"This regime has nothing to gain in creating a martyr so those behind the project should think twice before carrying out their evil plan," Picardal added.

The Archdiocese of Cebu, where Picardal belongs, has not issued a statement on the matter.

"We have no info on the situation and we respect the competence of the religious congregation  and their superiors in addressing the situation," said spokesperson Msgr. Joseph Tan.

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, more popularly known as the Redemptorists, has yet to issue a statement.

Picardal told GMA News Online that he has been told to refrain from issuing further public statements.

It can be remembered that the Redemptorists in Cebu lost one of their colleague, Father Rudy Romano, in 1985.

Romano, who was known for his work with poor families, was kidnapped by unknown men in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City on July 11, 1985.

Writ of amparo  

Asked for reaction on Picardal's claims, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the priest may file a writ of amparo before any court as regards the life threats he has received.

"I said his remedy is to file a writ of amparo ... with the Supreme Court or any court. It can be filed even in the lower courts ‘no, and it will be acted upon expeditiously. So si Father, tama na po ‘yang pagdedeklara na ang buhay mo ay… may banta sa buhay mo," Roque said at a press briefing in Malacañang.

"Gamitin ninyo na po iyong mga remedyong legal na naririyan – writ of amparo po ‘yan. Napakadali pong makakuha niyan, mabibigyan kayo ng proteksiyon kung talagang may ebidensiya na may banta sa buhay ninyo," Roque added.

A writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty, and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity.  — with Bernadette A. Parco/RSJ, GMA News