UCCP Bishop Council appeals release of UCCP pastor
MANILA, August 22, 2008 — Members of the United Churches of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Council of Bishops marched to the Court of Appeals last August 20 to appeal the immediate release of Pastor Berlin Guerrero, the UCCP pastor who was “abducted” by the elements of Philippine National Police (PNP) and now charged with murder.
Dubbed as the “Pilgrimage Walk for Justice and Freedom of Pastor Berlin Guerrero,” bishops who joined the said march and prayer vigil were Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua, UCCP’s secretary-general; Bishop Dulce Pia Rose; Bishops Emeritus Anacleto Serafica, Isaias Bingtan, Bishop Osias Jaim, Erme R. Camba, Elmer M. Bolocon, Gabriel Garol and Rizalino Taganas; Bishop Marino I. Inong; Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino; and Bishop Jessie Suarez, as well as other members and pastors of the UCCP.
“We believe that God is just and that our lives are in God’s hands; so we are praying for the freedom of Pastor [Berlin] Guerrero. However, we are also very concerned that with the recent corruption allegations in the Court of Appeals, Pastor Berlin may not get a fair hearing on his pending case. We are here to remind justices and citizens alike that we remain vigilant in Pastor Berlin’s case and that all are accountable to God for our conduct,” says Pascua in a statement sent to CBCP News.
Guerrero, who has been detained for more than a year because of the murder case filed against him, was said to be abducted on May 27, 2007—a Sunday—after leading a worship service in his church in Malaban, Biñan, Laguna.
According to Guerrero’s own account, he was blindfolded, handcuffed and then beaten after he was brought to a so-called safe house where he had been tortured for days, forcing him to admit that he is a high-ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) chapter in Cavite, which he denied.
After the torture, Guerrero was brought to the PNP Camp Pantaleon Garcia in Imus, Cavite and only when his lawyer arrived was a faxed copy of a warrant of arrest shown.
It was later ascertained from the PNP that elements of the Naval Intelligence Security Forces handed the preacher to them at the camp.
Guerrero, who remains under detention, is currently in the Cavite Provincial Jail awaiting a decision on the quashing (throwing-out) of the trumped-up murder charge against him.
Arriving at the Court of Appeals, the bishops gave a letter of appeal to the CA magistrates asking for a speedy trial for Guerrero’s case.
However, after Justice Matias M. Garcia II of the Bacoor, Cavite Regional Trial Court denied a Motion to Quash the murder charge, the UCCP, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Ecumenical Bishops Forum, Union Theological Seminary, the Kilosbayan Foundation and Bantay Katarungan Foundation now took the case to the Supreme Court.
Due to the lack of probable cause in the murder case and the human rights that have been violated, we joined together to bring the matter directly to the Supreme Court for the sake of Pastor Berlin Guerrero. Senator Jovito R. Salonga joined as lead counsel. We all feel that this case is a worthy struggle; the human and civil rights of all Filipino people are at stake,” asserts Bishop Pascua.
The case was before the Supreme Court for ten months, after which they remanded it to the Court of Appeals on the basis that facts must be adduced and that the Supreme Court is not a ” Trier of facts.” It is currently under Justice Romeo Barza, 12th Division.
“We are dismayed that the process is taking so long. Every day that Pastor Berlin is detained is another day that justice is denied to him. We understand in new ways what languishing in jail is—one of our vibrant church workers is doing his best to minister to other prisoners in the jail, but he could be more productive if he were given his due freedom. His family and church members are unduly suffering his absence as well. Justice delayed is justice denied,” comments Bishop Dulce Pia Rose.
“And now we have to worry about the corruption scandal allegations facing the Court of Appeals and the potential distraction or implications this may have on Pastor Berlin’s case. It is very hard to attain justice, but we will do our utmost to keep the attention of the court on his case. Our prayer for Pastor Berlin’s freedom must be matched by our best actions to appeal for justice,” said Bishop Jessie Suarez.
If the Court of Appeals will decide to dismiss the Information for murder against Pastor Berlin Guerrero, he can be immediately released. This is the hope and prayer of the Council of Bishops of the UCCP. However, if the Court of Appeals does not decide in favor of Pastor Berlin he will stand trial on the trumped-up murder charge, Suarez explained.
“It will be very disturbing seeing a pastor, who has committed his life to God in the service of God’s people, standing trial for murder. But, it’s really not so different than the story of Jesus and His disciples in the Bible. We hope and pray the case of murder will be quashed and that justice will prevail,” Pascua said.
Noel Sales Barcelona
