Cries for Justice, Tears of Pain

Songs, tributes and prayers were heard today at the Freedom Park, at a busy intersection in downtown Davao City, as Aglipayan parishioners, joined by priests, nuns, pastors, lay people from various religious denominations, labor leaders and activists took to the streets to denounce the Oct. 3 murder of Bishop Alberto Ramento of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) convent in Tarlac. For Bishop Delfin Callao Jr. of the IFI Davao diocese, the killing of Ramento is a testament to the IFI church�s continuing commitment to the poor and oppressed. Ramento was the 24th church worker killed under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His death, the rallyists said, was proof of the worsening culture of impunity in the country. Ramento, a much-loved church leader, had received death threats for his advocacy of human rights, his support of laborers and workers, and his active search for justice for the victims of human-rights violations. Text and photos by Cheryll D. Fiel/davaotoday.com