Benedictine nun being vilified by AFP for opposing large-scale mining

Benedictine nun being vilified by AFP for opposing large-scale mining

“This atrocity against those who consistently protect the environment and help alleviate the plight of the poor only shows how the AFP and its chief, Pres. Aquino tolerates, encourages, and considers as policy the Martial Law-like trampling of our rights…” – Rural Missionaries of the Philippines – Southern Mindanao
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com

The environmental group Panalipdan Mindanao (Defenders and Advocates of Environment, Creation, and Patrimony) has come to the defense of its secretary general Benedictine nun Sr. Stella Matutina. The group said Sr. Matutina is the target of a vilification campaign by the 28th Infantry Battalion (28th IB). According to reports, the 28th IB has been spreading malicious stories that Matutina is not a real nun and that she is actually a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Sr. Matutina was first alluded to as an NPA member during a barangay assembly called by the 28th IB in Lantawan, Lupon, Davao Oriental in March 2. The 28th IB was in the process of putting together a barangay defense system in the area, and a certain 1st Lt. Hermie Montelibano reportedly said that the slain environmentalist priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio was killed because he was an NPA. The also said that that there is also a nun named “Stella” who is an NPA pretending to be a nun.

The following April 15, San Isidro, Davao Oriental residents were warned by a certain 1st Lt. Francisco Lingat against joining an Earth Day forum on mining organized by Benedictines for Peace at the Diocese of Mati..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/05/09/benedictine-nun-being-vilified-by-afp-for-opposing-large-scale-mining/