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Mariing kinondena ng National Secretariat for Social Action – Justice and Peace/Caritas Philippines ang brutal na pagpatay sa 72-taong gulang na si Fr. Marcelito “Tito” Paez ng Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija ng mga hindi kilalang gunmen noong ika-4 ng Disyembre 2017.
Iginiit ni CBCP-NASSA/Caritas Philippines Executive Secretary Father Edu Gariguez na ang brutal na pagpatay sa pari ay isang pag-atake sa Simbahan at sa pagsusulong ng misyon para sa social justice at empowerment sa mga mahihirap.
Ayon kay Father Gariguez, ang krimen ay patunay na ang mga nagsusulong social development sa kanayunan ay hindi na ligtas sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng sosyodad.
Itinuturing din ito ng pari na pagkawala ng moral values at paggalang sa sagradong buhay lalu na sa mga inaasahang magbibigay proteksyon sa karapatang pantao.
“Fr. Tito Paez, who earlier facilitated the release of political prisoners in the Provincial Jail in Cabanatuan City, was on his way home at 8 PM when he was attacked and shot by motorcycle-riding in tandem while driving his vehicle along the road in Jaen town of Nueva Ecija. The assailants are suspected to be state security forces or their assets.” pahayag ni Father Gariguez
Hinihilang ang pagsasaayos ni Father Paez sa paglaya ng isang political detainee ang motibo ng pagpatay.
“Perhaps, Fr. Tito’s mistake, in the eyes of the persecutors, was his passion in his ministry for social justice and development of the life of the farmers, fisher folks and workers. He was very active in the social action programs of the Diocese of San Jose, particularly in the Justice and Peace Office which the primary goal is to uphold the human rights of the poor. Facilitating the release of a political detainee may be the cause of his death.” pahayag ng CBCP-NASSA/Caritas Philippines.
Kinilala ng CBCP-NASSA/Caritas Philippines si Father Paez na isa sa maraming pari at religious people na nagbuwis ng buhay para makamtan ng mga aba ang social justice.
“He heeded the challenge of Pope Francis: “The Church, guided by the Gospel of mercy and by love for mankind, hears the cry for justice and intends to respond to it with all her might.His engagement with the poor expressed his desire to address inequity of “enormous fortunes of some few individuals, and the utter poverty of the masses” (Rerum Novarum #1). All peoples, especially the pastors, are called to hear the cry of the poor.” pahayag ng Caritas Philippines
Justice at rule of law
Nanawagan ang NASSA/Caritas Philippines sa administrasyon ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na magsagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon at hulihin ang mga salarin sa pagpatay sa pari.
Hinimok din ng NASSA/Caritas Philippines ang administrasyong Duterte na pigilan ang security forces sa kanilang ginagawang karahasan sa mga taong Simbahan na naglilingkod at nagsusulong ng pag-unlad sa mga mahihirap.
Umaapela din ang NASSA/ Caritas Philippines sa sambayanang Filipino na manindigan at magkaisa sa pagsusulong ng social justice at pagkondena sa mga walang saysay na mga pagpatay.
“NASSA/Caritas Philippines calls upon all peoples of faith and goodwill to stand up and unite in promoting social justice and in denouncing the latest killings and all brutal and senseless killings in the name of change. Let us not put in vain the life of Fr. Tito and all others who died for the sake of justice. Let us stop these acts of violence and denounce any attacks against human life, human dignity and human rights.” bahagi ng pahayag ng NASSA/Caritas Philippines.
