Justice for 3 slain priests assured

By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos

Malacañang yesterday assured justice for the three Catholic priests who were killed in the past six months.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Malacañang denounces the murders of Fathers Mark Ventura, Tito Paez, and Richmond Nilo.

Roque said the killers of the three priests will be brought to justice and added authorities are taking measures to serve justice and protect the members of the clergy.

“The government and the Philippine National Police have mounted investigations into these crimes and have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Roque said.

“The PNP shall also be working closely with the Church, especially the hierarchy and the clergy, on measures to protect our priests,” he added.

Roque said that President Duterte promised to bring “radical change” to address the problem of criminality in the country.

“The President himself has ordered an intensified campaign against criminality to further expand the significant strides we made in the peace and order situation in the country, as acknowledged by various reports,” he said.

Roque urged the public to unite against efforts to discredit the government’s efforts to address criminality as there are elements that seek to divide the nation even by going as far as killing priests.

“In this nationwide drive, lawless elements will seek to block our efforts by sowing division and creating animosity, even exploiting crimes like the killings of priests,” Roque pointed out.