MANILA (UCAN): Bishop Joel Baylon of Legaspi, the province of Albay, the Philippines, condemned the red-tagging and killing of Luzviminda “Kap Ida” Dayanda and Albert Orlina, the village chief and treasurer of Guinobatan.
The two were reportedly shot dead by gunmen on September 21 while heading home after a meeting at the town hall. Prior to their deaths, they were falsely red-tagged, a term for being accused of supporting communist rebels.
They were also active lay leaders in St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Mauraro, a nearby village.
“These attacks were inhuman and contrary to the teachings of Jesus. We are a government of laws, not of men. Laws are in place to ensure due process is given to any accused. I pray that government authorities may have the mind and spirit to investigate and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Bishop Baylon said.
“We are in disbelief that Dayanda and Orlina were murdered in cold blood. We received reports that they were accused of being members of the Communist Party when in fact they were very active in church activities,” the diocese said in a statement denying the pair were rebels.
“(Kap Ida) Dayanda and Albert (Orlina) were active lay leaders in their parish. Kap Ida served as chair of their village pastoral council while Albert was a member of the same council. They did not deserve their fate,” he added.
Bishop Baylon also said the slayings added to a growing list of murdered lay leaders.
On August 17, church activist Zara Alvarez, a human rights activist and volunteer for the Church-Workers Solidarity group in the Diocese of San Carlos, was shot dead in Bacolod City, in the province of Negros Occidental.
On August 10, men abducted 72-year-old labour leader, Randy Echanis, and bundled him into a vehicle before killing him.
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Bishop Baylon said Filipinos must not forget all those who have been killed in such circumstances. He said Dayanda and Orlina “were passionate to their calling. We pray for consolation, peace and the safety of their community and the family and loved ones they left behind.”
