Agusan Sur church leaders threatened over text messages

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Nov 21): Agusan Sur church leaders threatened over text messages

SOME church bishops are crying foul over about hundred text messages they received which contains threats and insinuations on their alleged connection on the death of Loreto town, Agusan del Sur mayor Dario Otaza on October 19 this year.

[Read: Agusan del Sur town mayor, son found dead]

Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Bishop Rhee TImbang said he received 244 text messages with the same content.

The messages include: "Para sa alaala ni Datu Malampuson, Mayor Otaza na pinatay nga mga kasama mo. Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS."

The same text messages were also received by IFI bishop Romeo Tagud, two pastors, and two Catholic priests.

All of them are convenors of the International Fact-Finding Mission (IFFM) held for the lumad (indigenous people) killings in Surigao in October this year.

[ALSO Read: Lumad teacher, 2 others dead in Surigao rampage]

The IFFM was composed of support groups that stand for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) plight, which aims to validate, strengthen, and amplify the bases for the calls of lumad people who are victims of human rights violations.

Timbang said the text messages have something to do with their involvement of the IFFM and their advocacy standing for the lumads.

"The text appears likewise as veiled threat to extract revenge with an idiotic use of a scriptural verse," Timbang posted on social media.

He said the text messages were a form of harassment, threat and intimidation in view of his advocacy and stand for the lumad as a bishop.

The bishops said the military might be the group behind these threats as IFFM findings indicate the military and paramilitary groups operations in Surigao del Sur for allegedly being the responsible perpetrators of the crimes against the lumad.

Tagud said the texts were similar to military's series of press release which maligned, vilified, and discredited the organizers of IFFM.

"Makita nimo na pareha ang mensahe sa ilang press release, makaduda gyud. Pero hinuon, we are yet to release our statement on this issue," Tagud added.

Tagud said they already filed a police blotter immediately after they received the said text messages.

The texts came from six different mobile numbers: 09062940162; 09326743816; 0906473 7285; 0921746 2585; 09235227730; and 09235227304.

"Kung ma-identify namo kinsa sila, we will file appropriate cases, especially na harassment baya ni," Tagud said.

Military to secure bishops

But Captain Jo Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) spokesperson, denied the military's involvement with the text messages.

"We are saddened sa statement ng ating mga kaparian, kasi unang-una, we have high respect for them, kasi sila itong mga partners natin sa ating advocacy for peace," Martinez said.

Martinez instead offered security to the bishops who received threats adding that they are willing to participate in the investigation.

"Kung nasaan man yung area ni Bishop Timbang, we can request for security to prove na for peace lamang po kami, at para maprotektahan natin siya," Martinez added.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/11/21/agusan-sur-church-leaders-threatened-over-text-messages-442858