Beheadings outrage Arroyo, Islamic scholars

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang called it an act of barbarism. Islamic scholars expressed outrage. Ordinary Filipinos reacted with disgust.

“The beheading of the seven captives in Sulu once again demonstrates the Abu Sayyaf’s ruthlessness and only strengthens our resolve to neutralize them,” President Macapagal-Arroyo said in a statement.

Aghast at the beheading of seven abducted workers in Jolo, Ms Arroyo vowed the act would not go unpunished and said the incident was a matter of national security.

“Our troops are committed to the singular objective of obliteration, while keeping civilians out of danger zones,” Ms Arroyo said.

“Our record is clear: The Philippines has zero tolerance for terrorists, within and even beyond our borders.”

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the order to the Armed Forces of the Philippines was: “Obliterate this group as soon as possible.”

“What is clear is these latest atrocities signify the barbarism of this group and this only heightens the resolve of the government to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf.”

People’s help needed

The military has ordered a stepped-up offensive against the group.

Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said the military would not allow a repeat of such “barbaric act.”

“We can only do this through the help of everybody … the help of the residents are important,” he said in a phone interview.

“It’s unfortunate … but that’s the way terrorism goes. We should all be fighting terrorism,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said in an interview on ANC network.

Esperon disputed reports that the execution of the seven men was the work of Ustadz Habier Malik, a Moro National Liberation Front commander now being hunted by the military for attacking Marine headquarters in Panamao, Sulu.
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Priest faces church probe

THE fate of the priest who allegedly harassed students from the Abellana National School (ANS) rests on the investigation handled by a seminary professor who is also a priest.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal ordered the investigation after about 20 students complained during a seminar organized by a Catholic organization last Nov. 14.

Cebu Archdiocesan Episcopal Vicar Msgr. Esteban Binghay explained that two things might happen inside the confessional that are against the canon law.

He cited direct solicitation and improper conduct.

The first one entails direct solicitation to the penitent to commit sexual acts with the priest, while improper conduct indicates touching the penitent that yields a feeling of discomfort.

The students’ allegations fall in the improper conduct of the priest inside the confessional.

Although Binghay refused to discuss details of the current case stating an order from the cardinal not to talk about things that are still under investigation, he did say that the purpose of being in a confession booth is to separate the priest and the penitent.

If improper conduct during confession is proven, the priest may be punished according to the gravity of the sin, said Binghay.
The penalty could be suspension or removal of the faculty of the priest to hear confessions, he said.

Meanwhile, the Catholic group Oasis of Love denied knowing about the alleged harassment of high school students.

A television news reported that the ANHS students who complained of harassment told the Oasis of Love organizers about the incident but that the group didn’t do anything.

The group’s head servant, Nonito Limchua, denied this.

In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, he said no complaints reached his organization.

Fearing a whitewash in the investigation, Cebu City Hall’s consultant on education yesterday criticized City Schools Superintendent Leonilo Oliva for keeping under wraps the probe on the alleged harassment by a priest.

Joy Augustus Young, the mayor’s consultant, also hit the division office for refusing to heed his policy to stop the holding of “Life in the Spirit” seminars in the public schools so as not to disrupt classes.

Young vowed to investigate the matter further to find out if there was any lapse on the part of the division office officials.
In a phone interview yesterday, the consultant said he does not understand why Oliva and the Archbishop’s Palace will not name the priest.

“If they keep saying it’s confidential, if they are protecting the priest, there could be a whitewash in their investigation,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
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The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) congregation mourns the death of our young missionary priest from Indonesia, Fr. Fransiskus Madhu, SVD, 31 who was shot dead while saying mass at around 5:30 pm yesterday (April 1, 2007) in Barrio Mabongtot, Lubuagan, Kalinga of the Northern part of the Philippines.

Fr. Francis is assigned as co-pastor of Fr. Gerardo Gudmalin, SVD in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Mission in Lubuagan, Kalinga, which is under the Vicariate of Tabuk.

The initial report of our Superior General, Fr. Tony Pernia, SVD states that “Fransiskus was already vested for the afternoon Mass at 17.30 (5:30 p.m.) when a man suddenly appeared before him and fired a pistol at him without any apparent motive. It seems that the attacker had personal problems and was wanted by the police. Our young confrere died immediately.”

The man who shot him was known to have a criminal record. The Province of Ende has been informed as well as the family of Fr. Francis.

We, his SVD confreres in Christ the King Mission Seminary strongly condemn the killing of Fr. Francis. We hope that the government would do something to give justice to our dead confrere whose only motive was to serve the people of Kalinga in his mission assignment.

Please include him and his murderer in your prayers…