On the Brutal Killing of the Most Reverend Alberto B. Ramento, the Ninth IFI Obispo Maximo

KASAMA Vol. 21 No. 1 / January-February-March 2007 / Solidarity Philippines Australia Network

A Statement of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente

The good bishop was slain by faceless assassins who broke into the rectory at around 4 am in the morning of October 3, 2006 in the Parish of San Sebastian, Tarlac City. He was sleeping when the assassins entered his room and stabbed him seven times. We denounce in the strongest possible terms this barbaric and dastardly act against a man of the cloth within the premises of his own church.

Initial police investigation reports point to the incident as a mere case of robbery with homicide. However, the Ramento family, the clergy and the faithful of the Diocese of Tarlac believe that the motive is much deeper. There are indications that Bishop Ramento’s murder was thoroughly planned and politically motivated. We believe that the brutal killing was the inevitable consequence of his principled engagement with the people and their struggle for the fullness of life.

Bishop Ramento, aside from being a well-loved pastor by his clergy and faithful, has earned the reputation as a social prophet, and an icon in the nationalist struggle of the Filipino masses with his uncompromising stand for national sovereignty and patrimony. He was a true advocate of a just peace. Bishop Ramento was part of the Monitoring Group in the Peace Talks between the Government and the National Democratic Front.