Bishop decries tight security around Kidapawan church compound

The leader of the United Methodist Church in Cotabato on Thursday told senators that the police and military have thrown a tight security ring around the Spottwood Methodist Center in Kidapawan City where the farmers and their families have sought refuge following the violent dispersal of their protest last April 1.

At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights at the University of Southern Philippines, Bishop Ciriaco Francisco said soldiers and policemen have set up checkpoints near the compound and have required people, including those who attended Sunday worship service, to log in and out.

“I received a letter from (Kidapawan Mayor Joseph “Joey” Evangelista) and immediately after coming back from Visayas, asked Atty. Manipos because they say I am harboring illegal protesters. Ang ginawa ko po nang ako ay umuwi, na-surprise ako sapagkat sa gate namin pagpasok sa Spottswood hindi ka makakapasok agad dahil nakaharang ang patrol car,” Francisco said.

“The lawyer came the night after I came home and they were required to log in the gate. Kaya lang sila nakapasok kasi nag-introduce si attorney pero hindi ko gusto un kasi Spottswood is a religious institutions. Members who worship on that Sunday were required to log in,” Francisco said.

Some of the residents of the compound were forced to temporarily move out because of fear, he said.

Francisco noted that religious institutions serve as a sanctuary and refuge to people in need and therefore should be free of military intervention.

Senate Majority Leader Senator Alan Peter Cayetano asked Francisco if they received any word from the government about the checkpoints and military presence.

“Did anyone from mayor’s office, governor’s office, PNP, AFP talked to them bakit binabarikada at may log book?,” Cayetano asked to which the bishop replied, "wala".

Francisco said they've asked the police to vacate the compound to allow the free and steady flow of donations for the farmers. He said the presence of armed policemen and soldiers only heightens fear and anxiety among the civilians.

“Yung mga donations na bigas, may information na pumapasok sa akin na hino-hold, ayaw papasukin. Sabi ko, please payagan niyo pumasok kasi pag iyan nabigay sa kanila, wala nang dahilan para mag-stay sapagkat yung demand nila ay naibibigay," he said.

The UMC, he said, channeled donations to the protest organizers to make sure it directly goes to the farmers.

“Our commitment on relief maikli lang yan pero we want to sustain their life, puwedeng tumulong at puwedeng tumawag sa amin para tumulong,” Francisco said. — APG, GMA News