Wednesday, October 11, 2006 Iglesia to hold mass, rally v. killings By Stephen Capillas
THE Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) hierarchy is set to hold a mass and march rally Wednesday to dramatize its condemnation of the killings of 53-year-old Aglipayan priest Dionisio Gingging and IFI Bishop Alberto Ramento.
Cagayan de Oro Archdiocese through its vicar general Monsignor Rey Monsanto also condemned the killings. "We lament their deaths and if these killings are politically motivated, we call on government to immediately resolve them," he said.
As this developed IFI leader and Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR) Fr. Antonio Ablon in a radio interview said the mass will be held at the IFI church in Hayes-Pabayo street this city at past 12 noon.
The mass would be followed by a march rally that would end up at the City Kiosk at past 1:00 p.m.
The city police and the Fourth Infantry Division voiced their willingness to provide security to Fr. Ablon, who is allegedly receiving death threats through text messages.
Cagayan de Oro City Police Director Aurelio Trampe said he received this report but he was only "waiting for Fr. Ablon to contact their office for assistance."
For his part Fourth ID chief Jose Barbieto said they are also willing to provide protection for Fr. Ablon.
He added reports that military agents are behind these killings are "untrue."
"If he (Fr. Ablon) wants he can ask for our help and we will provide him protection," Barbieto said in a TV interview.
Militant groups accused the military of allegedly conducting summary executions of persons critical of the Arroyo administration.
According to reports the killers of Bishop Ramento supposedly toyed with him, leading investigators to suspect they were professional hit men.
On the other hand, Surigao police said Fr. Gingging is a member of the Philippine Benevolent Missionary Association (PBMA).
They said they are investigating the angle that Fr. Gingging was killed for his refusal to treat a person believed to be a victim of voodoo witchcraft.
For their part the Surigao del Sur Aglipayan chapter said while Fr. Gingging belongs to a breakaway group they will still pray that justice be served for the victim's family. (With reports from Caraga Correspondent Ben Serrano)
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