STATEMENT ON THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF PASTOR DAN BALUCIO
UCCP | Posted on |
The United Church of Christ in the Philippines through its Council of Bishops strongly deplores the arrest of Pastor Dan Balucio, around 3:30 A.M. today, May 2, 2021 at his home in San Isidro, Sto. Domingo, Albay. He is a church worker of the UCCP under the South Bicol Conference. Pastor Dan Balucio was taken into custody by armed men who introduced themselves as a raiding team of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) from Camp Simeon Ola, Legazpi City who showed a suspicious search warrant issued by Judge Edgar Armes, the Presiding Judge of Branch 4, Regional Trial Court, 5th Judicial Region, Legazpi City, at his home in San Isidro, Santo. Domingo, Albay.
During the incident, Pastor Dan’s family and National Council of Churches in the Philippines staff Almond del Rosario were commanded to lie face down. Shortly thereafter, ‘firearms and
explosives’ were alleged to have been found. As a familiar pattern under the Duterte administration, the arresting state forces planted evidence as explosives were allegedly found minutes after the operatives searched the house of Pastor Balucio.
We see this as part of the continuing harassment against the church and against legitimate dissenters. Clearly, this is a product of the Anti-Terrorism Law which is now being utilized by the state as a tool of repression. It is unthinkable that the State persecutes the Church by trump-up charges in court to disparage the ministry that touches the roots of injustice and provides hope for the poor and marginalized communities.
We denounce this shameless act of state viciousness and call on the immediate release of Pastor Dan Balucio even as we also beseech the prayers and support of our constituents and
partners worldwide.
Stop harassing the church and our workers! We also call on the authorities to drop all fabricated charges against Pastor Balucio! Stop suppression of political dissenters and peace and justice workers! In a darkening moment like this, we pray with the psalmist:
“May God vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.” (Psalm 72:4)
THE UCCP COUNCIL OF BISHOPS
May 2, 2021
Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog
General Secretary
Bishop Joseph G. Agpaoa
North Luzon Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Emergencio D. Padillo
Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Joel E. Tendero
South Luzon Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Jerome C. Baris
East Visayas Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Feliciana P. Tenchavez
West Visayas Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Ligaya F. San Francisco
Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Hamuel G. Tequis
Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area
Bishops Emeritus:
Bishop Arturo R. Asi
Bishop Jezer E. Bertoldo
Bishop Isaias L. Bingtan
Bishop Erme R. Camba
Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino
Bishop Constante D. Claro
Bishop Gabriel A. Garol
Bishop Hilario M. Gomez, Jr.
Bishop Marino I. Inong
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza
Bishop Roel P. Mendoza
Bishop Jaime R. Moriles
Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua
Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose
Bishop Elorde M. Sambat
Bishop Anacleto G. Serafica
Bishop Jessie S. Suarez
Bishop Rizalino Q. Taganas
Bishop Modesto D. Villasanta
Please click this link for the downloadable file, Statement on the Arrest and detention of Pastor Dan Balucio
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.