Obviously, the people in Arakan, North Cotabato, still mourn the passing of Fr. Fausto Tentorio who was gunned down last year, even as his killers have been arrested. Father Tentorio left a legacy of service in his missionary work, which is why his memory cannot easily be erased, especially in the minds and hearts of the indigenous peoples he served for so long.
He worked not only for the spiritual nourishment of his flock. He also made sure that their rights were amply protected. Maybe, because of his dedication to his work, he stepped on other people’s toes and he easily became a target for liquidation. Perhaps some groups were intimidated by his courage and boldness, hence, they thought it was necessary to eliminate him.
His death was said to be the handiwork of the military, which almost always gets the blame when somebody is shot, killed or assassinated. And it is nothing new to the Armed Forces and it hasn’t in any way affected the soldiers’ morale.
With the arrest of the suspects, no evidence has come up linking the military to Father Tentorio’s killing. I myself wonder what would the AFP gain from killing Father Tentorio who was performing a similar mission to help the people in the area? Groups like the New People’s Army are most likely to gain from accusing the military. They have this penchant for always pointing to the military as the usual culprits when such killings happen. Whichever, Father Tentorio is now at peace and his killers will pay for their misdeed.
There will be other Father Tentorios who will bravely carry on his missionary work.
To the CPP-NPA, please refrain from using tragic incidents, such as Father Tentorio’s murder, for propaganda purposes. It is not only a disgusting act, it shows the group’s insensitivity to the feelings of those grieving the loss of loved ones.
—CHANTAL B. AZNAR,
Zamboanga City