UPDATE (Philippines): Renewed surveillance on a priest facing threats

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that a priest, Rev. Eleuterio J. Revollido, whom we reported to have been facing continuing threats, has once again been experiencing surveillance. In the testimony he had written, Rev. Eleuterio has said that on several occasions from November 29 to December 7 unknown persons have repeatedly come back to his parish in Urdaneta City either inquiring about his whereabouts or looking for him.

UPDATED INFORMATION: (According to the victim’s written testimony)

In our previous appeal in July 2006, the AHRC already mentioned the surveillance that Rev. Eleuterio J. Revollido (a.k.a. Fr. Terry) had been experiencing. He has since expressed concern for his safety at the time after two of his colleagues, activists Mariano Sepnio and Jose Doton, were killed on 9 March 2006 and 16 May 2006 respectively.

Though Rev. Eleuterio had been facing continuous threats, there has not been obvious surveillance on him until recently. The authorities have been informed of his plight in the past; however, there has not been any adequate intervention to ensure his safety and welfare since.

The full text of Rev. Eleuterio’s testimony prepared by him and sent to the AHRC regarding the renewed surveillance can be read below:

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COLLABORATIVE ACCOUNT ON THE UNABATED SURVEILLANCE/CASING IN THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2007

Victim:    The Very Rev. Eleuterio J. Revollido
Case:    Surveillance/Casing 
Date of Incident:  The months of November and December 2007 
Place of Incident:  Parish of the Divine Shepherd / Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS), Nancamaliran West, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan

Perpetrators:   Suspected Military Intelligence operatives in motorcycles and car

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

This narrative of incidence of surveillance/casing which transpired on November 29 to December 7 2005 were taken from the personal accounts and interviews made by some students of Aglipay Central theological Seminary (ACTS), Nancamaliran West, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.  

November 29
1. At around 1:45 AM while the seminarians were preparing for an early trip to the National Cathedral in Manila to participate in the culmination activity of the National Clergy Convocation, a student noticed three men standing outside the gate near the garage asking question if, “all the seminarians are leaving’ After receiving a negative response they immediately left.

2. Morning of same date, another student noticed one car and two motorcycles were parked in front of the seminary and one in the left part. One of the two men in the front gate entered and approached him and asked again about the seminarians. The other one came in also and told him that they want to talk to the head of the seminary. He told them, he is not here.

November 30
At around 9AM while the same student who noticed the car and two motorcycles parked in front of the Seminary on November 29, was in the seminary kubo (hut). He was approached by the same person who came the previous day and was asked when the seminarians are coming back.

December 3
The same seminarian was cautioned by a couple in the immediate community of the Seminary. The couple said they have been noticing people casing the seminary for maybe three days now. This information was later on followed up by another student where the couple confirmed the presence of a black car and motorcycle riding men positioning themselves in front and sides of the seminary for an hour for the past days.

This information was corroborated by the neighbor of the couple who said that one night a black car parked in front of their house. A man approached a woman in the community and asked if she knows Fr. Terry. According to the student she answered the person, “No!”.

December 7
About half past six in the evening a woman was asking questions about the seminary at a convenience store in front of the seminary. Some seminarians proceeded to the store and conversed with the woman. She said that she is from Apple Spa Inc. promoting beauty devices and would like to know the head of the seminary and negotiate to a possible demonstration of their products.

In addition to these incidents a seminarian assigned in one nearby parish was approached sometime in September 2007, by a certain military man assigned in Camp Crame, and was informed that Fr. Terry is in the “OB” (Order of Battle).

The above incidents are very alarming, intimidating and causing fear to the community of church people who in the tradition of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and the challenge of the gospel message are just true to the vocation to be with the people for the sake of freedom justice and peace.

Prepared by:

The Very Rev. Eleuterio J. Revollido (signed)
Rector, ACTS
Urdaneta City

December 10, 2007 
International Human Rights Day
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SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the concerned authorities below requesting for their immediate intervention to have the renewed surveillance on Rev. Eleuterio J. Revollido properly investigated. Those responsible of spying on him must be identified. The authorities must also inquire into the supposed list of targets where his name is said to be included. They must also ensure the immediate protection of his safety and welfare.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER