Press Statement of Migrante NSW on 2nd Death Anniversary of Fr Fausto “Pops” Tentorio PIME, 17th October 2013
NSW – “Your dreams are my dreams, your struggles are my struggles, you and I are partners in building God’s kingdom” – from Fr Pops’ last will, referring to the bond he had with the Lumads and poor peasants he worked with in Cotabato.
“We remember the killing of Father Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, he who championed indigenous people’s rights, a fearless anti-mining campaigner and staunch human rights defender”.
“We honour his work with the poor peasants and the Lumads of north Cotabato whose dreams and struggles he shared. Through his organisation – the Tribal Filipino Program of the Diocese of Kidapawan – he assisted in providing education, livelihood, health programs and agricultural development in the upland communities of Cotabato”.
“Mindanao is one of the most militarized parts of the world and Fr. Pops tried bravely to protect the people of the lovely Arakan Valley from military violence. He had previously been threatened by a death squad know as the Bagani Force, which is a vigilante group associated with the armed forces”.
“We decry the fact that two years on, the people responsible for his death remain free and those whose responsibility is to ensure that justice is served refuse to act”.
“We deplore the inaction of the Philippine government on this matter. Peace and human rights remain unrespected and violated by the very government that professes commitment to them”.
“On the 2nd anniversary of his death, let us pledge to continue seeking justice for Father Pops and the thousand other Filipinos killed extra-judicially”.
“On the 2nd anniversary of his death, let us remember that working for peace and human rights are shared aspiration of the Filipino people and the likes of Father Pops”.
*Join the commemoration of his 2nd death anniversary on Sunday, 20th of October 2013, 10am, St Aidan’s Catholic Church, 9 Adelaide Street, Rooty Hill NSW 2766
