The Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) condemned Nov. 1 the death threats on activist priest Rolando “Rollie” de Leon, the 50-year old Roman Catholic priest of the Malolos Diocese. De Leon is the parish priest of San Andres Apostol, Norzagaray, Bulacan and spokesperson of the Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Pantaong Karapatan and the Bulacan Ecumenical Association of Churchpeople Offing Nationalism (BEACON), the provincial chapter of PCPR.

The PCPR reported that four envelopes with words, “Isang babala para sa’yo: Ikaw na ang susunod!” (A warning for you: You’re next!), were found in the collection bags after the morning mass on Oct. 30. Three of envelops contained bullets.

De Leon and his co-workers suspected the elements of 56th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army under Lt. Noel Clement were behind the incident and the other threats and harassment against other human rights activists in the province. He recalled being photographed by Sgt. Arnaldo Pagala of the Military Intelligence Group (MIG-3) under the Northern Luzon Command during a rally last March 16. Pagala pretended to be a media person but was found by the rallyists carrying a .45 caliber. He was brought to the police headquarters in Malolos where he admitted his real job.

The priest also said that the threat against him is “part of the systematic and nationwide pattern of political repression” under the Arroyo administration. The latest victim was Federico de Leon, Anakpawis-Bulacan chair, killed on Oct. 26 allegedly by military agents. (Bulatlat.com)

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