Dear Editor,
I would like to send to you a copy of a letter from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA concerning the case of Pastor Berlin Guerrero.
As background I have a statement to go along with the letter since I have served as the liaison between the UCCP and the PCUSA on this issue. I think my comments will help clarify the language of the PCUSA letter. Both are meant for public release and I am hoping they will be publicized in both the religious and secular press in the Philippines.
Thanks.
"We appreciate the fact the head of the PNP has said that they will investigate the abduction and treatment of Pastor Guerrero. It has been established, however, that the actual abduction and interrogation of Pastor Guerrero was conducted by the Security Forces of the Philippine Navy.
It is doubtful that the PNP has authority to investigate their activities.
I think that only a public directive from the President of the Philippines that an independent investigation of all branches of government involved in the illegal apprehension and treatment of Bishop Guerrero, including specifically military security forces, will be effective.
This means that Task Force Usig, the Human Rights Commission, or even the Melo Commission, must be empowered to interview all involved, subpoena any relevant documents and take whatever other steps are necessary for a complete and full investigation.
They must be given a reasonable deadline to complete their investigation, and all parties held responsible should be held liable to criminal prosecution."
Rev. Larry Emery
Chair, Presbyterian Philippine Partnership Committee of Sacramento Presbytery,
Presbyterian Church (USA).
Office of the General Assembly
Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk
June 4, 2007
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Malacanang Palace
Manila 1005, The Philippines
Dear Madam President:
On behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A .), I write to express our alarm and dismay over the abduction of Pastor Berlin Guerrero of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.
Our understanding is that he was abducted by members of the Philippine National Police and the Naval Intelligence Security Forces and is still being held by Philippine authorities. We are deeply concerned by reports of the tactics employed in Pastor Guerrero's abduction. We understand that he was taken by armed men who carried drawn weapons.
No warrant of arrest was produced at the time of his abduction. Reports indicate that personal affects were taken from members of his family when he was abducted. We urge you to call for, and oversee, a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding the abduction of Pastor Guerrero.
This investigation should include the activities of the police and of the military and security forces. We have received reports that Pastor Guerrero has been beaten and tortured. in other ways while in custody. We urge you to call for, and oversee, a full investigation of the treatment he has received and is receiving while in custody.
We understand that criminal allegations have been made against Pastor Guerrero. We ask that full disclosure be made of the charges on which he is being held. If the evidence for these charges is not forthcoming and compelling, then he should be released immediately.
We ask you to ensure that Pastor Berlin Guerrero and all the citizens of the Philippines are accorded the due process of the law and the respect for their rights to which the Philippine Constitution entitles them.
Cordially yours,
Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the General AssemblyPresident
World Alliance of Reformed Churches
cc: President George Bush
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Senator Barbara Boxer, Chair of the Senate Sub-Committee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Ambassador Kirstie A. Kenney, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines
His Excellency Willy C. Gaa, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S.A.
Dr. Sam Kobia, General Secretary, World Council of Churches
Dr. Prawate Khid-arn, General Secretary, Christian Conference of Asia
Ms. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Durendes, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Bishop Eliezer Pascua, General Secretary, United Church of Christ in the Philippines. (This letter is sent to the Mindanao Examiner by Rev. Larry Emery from Walnut Grove Community Church <wgcpc@hotmail.com>. Ed.)
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