THE Commission on Human Rights on Friday strongly condemned the brutal and brazen killing of a young Catholic priest— Fr. Mark Ventura, who was gunned down in broad daylight after officiating a Holy Mass in Gattaran, Cagayan.
“We hope that this series of attacks against church workers who are doing important humanitarian work for the vulnerable sectors is not another form of harassment against human rights defenders,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said.
“Regardless of faith, political affiliations, and ideology, we are all human beings. We must appeal to our common humanity at all times and demand that all killings and forms of violence that harm our human rights be stopped,” she added.
She reacted to the killing of Ventura, 37, in Cagayan last April 29, then to another slayings of Fr. Marcelito Paez, who was shot in Nueva Ecija on Dec. 4, 2017 after helping the release of a political prisoner, Apostolic Vicar of Jolo, Filipino Bishop Benjamin de Jesus, OMI, in 1997, Fr. Benjamin Inocencio in 2002 and Fr. Jesus Reynaldo Roda in 2009.
“We must all work together and demand greater responsibility from the government in ending impunity on all fronts and ensure that justice and the rule of law prevail towards upholding the dignity of all,” De Guia said.
“And in this tough time, the Commission also offers its sympathies to the flock, family, and friends of the late Fr. Ventura, as we pray for justice for his death,” she added.
Ventura, known for his tribal rights advocacy and opposition to mining in Cagayan, was blessing children and talking to choir members when an unidentified gunman with a companion emerged in a motorcycle and shot him twice.