Press Release
February 27, 2019

I STAND WITH BISHOP AMBO DAVID

*Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on the death threats received by Bishop Ambo David

I express my strong outrage over the death threats received by Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Vice President and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio "Ambo" David. I condemn the climate of violence that continues to grip our country.

These threats are a direct result of the same threats that President Rodrigo Duterte himself made against Bishop Ambo last year. They are also the consequences of the violent verbal attacks of the President on the Catholic Church and its religious leaders in light of its strong critique of the present administration's bloody and abusive war on drugs. They further assert the culture of impunity to try to silence valid Church-led criticisms of state policies, particularly those with implications on human rights and due process.

Not even President Duterte's sudden turnaround will absolve him of his role in this matter. This is what happens when you have a leader who encourages violence through his words.

But I know Bishop Ambo will not lose his resolve to tend to the faithful and do his duty to the Church and the greater cause of peace. I stand with him, both in solidarity and in calling for an end to this madness.

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