Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss
Philippines: Army Kills Guerrilla Priest
1,374 views
Skip to first unread message
Rich Winkel
Oct 18, 1994, 7:14:51 PM10/18/94
to
/** reg.philippine: 100.0 **/
** Topic: Guerrilla Priest slain **
** Written 2:36 AM Oct 15, 1994 by web:tdrop in cdp:reg.philippine **
From the MMNS News Digest August 16-31, 1994
Title: Guerrila priest slain in raid:
Second Catholic priest to die in a
combat situation in Mindanao
By Manuel Cayon and Jowel Canuday
Guerrilla priest Fr. Frank Navarro was killed on August 9 when
government soldiers raided a house in Cagwait town, Surigao del
Sur, two belated rebel communiques reported.
Reported dead nine times in the past, Fr. Navarro, most wanted
leader of the New People's Army in Northern Mindanao, sustained
two bullet wounds, at the back and at his thigh. His death
apparently escaped the knowledge of the armed forces, which has
not sent out any report until the two rebel press releases were
received on August 29 by various news organizations.
The Balita ng Malayang Pilipinas, the propaganda arm of the
National Democratic Front stated in an undated press release that
Navarro was shot while he was running back to their camp to warn
his comrades about the raid. Another statement dated August 26
sent by the NDF affiliate, the Christians for National
Liberation, was received the same day and confirmed similar news
of the priest's death.
Fr. Navarro, a.k.a. Ka Migo in the revolutionary movement, is the
second rebel priest in Mindanao to die in a combat situation. On
March 28, 1987, Fr. Bert Salac, then the NDF secretary general
was killed in Maco, Davao del Norte when the army swooped down on
their plenary session.
"Ka Migo's death is a big loss, a very sad one. But as we grieve,
we shall always remember the ideals and principles that Ka Migo,
llke comrades who have gone bcfore him, died for," the CNL
statement titled "A Declaration of Martyrdom" and signed bv a Ka
Juan Solayman, said.
Solayman said Navarro was the first Catholic priest in Mindanao
to admit "having joined the underground, the Communist Party of
the Philippines (CPP) and, of having married a comrade".
Fr. Navarro joined the underground in July 1983 following an
arrest warrant on account of a subversion charge filed against
him by the government of ousted strongman Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.
"What's nice about being a revolutionary is that you have so many
lives," he once told a reporter in denying one of the earlier
death yarns.
Military reports describe Navarro as the leader of various NPA
attacks in Surigao del Sur, including the 15 February 1992 ambush
in Cagwait which killed 46 army soldiers.
Navarro served as the NDF-Mindanao chief negotiator during the
aborted 1987 ceasefire and represented the local NDF in several
negotiations for the release of government soldiers whom the
NPAs had captured and declared "prisoners of war".
Navarro was ordained a priest in 1975 at the age of 27. Before
joining the underground, he served as Social Action Director of
the Diocese of Tandag from 1978-1981 and was parish priest of
Diatagon, Liangatown in Surigao del Sur from 1981-83.
In a 1986 article published in the defunct Veritas, he told
writer Carol Arguillas: "If the priest wants an apostolate in the
rebel camp, they should be allowed to do so. lf we can provlde
chaplains for the military, why not for the New People's Army?"
"...If laymen were convinced to bear arms to give up their I
lives for the masses, why not a pricst? A priest's mission
involves giving up one's life," he added. nd
-----------------------------------------------------------
The News Digest is a fortnightly magazine published by the
Media Mindanao News Service, Inc.
220 Vincente Mapa St. / Davao City / Mindanao / Philippines
MMNS is a non-stock, non-profit news agency.
-----------------------------------------------------------
** End of text from cdp:reg.philippine **
** Topic: Guerrilla Priest slain **
** Written 2:36 AM Oct 15, 1994 by web:tdrop in cdp:reg.philippine **
From the MMNS News Digest August 16-31, 1994
Title: Guerrila priest slain in raid:
Second Catholic priest to die in a
combat situation in Mindanao
By Manuel Cayon and Jowel Canuday
Guerrilla priest Fr. Frank Navarro was killed on August 9 when
government soldiers raided a house in Cagwait town, Surigao del
Sur, two belated rebel communiques reported.
Reported dead nine times in the past, Fr. Navarro, most wanted
leader of the New People's Army in Northern Mindanao, sustained
two bullet wounds, at the back and at his thigh. His death
apparently escaped the knowledge of the armed forces, which has
not sent out any report until the two rebel press releases were
received on August 29 by various news organizations.
The Balita ng Malayang Pilipinas, the propaganda arm of the
National Democratic Front stated in an undated press release that
Navarro was shot while he was running back to their camp to warn
his comrades about the raid. Another statement dated August 26
sent by the NDF affiliate, the Christians for National
Liberation, was received the same day and confirmed similar news
of the priest's death.
Fr. Navarro, a.k.a. Ka Migo in the revolutionary movement, is the
second rebel priest in Mindanao to die in a combat situation. On
March 28, 1987, Fr. Bert Salac, then the NDF secretary general
was killed in Maco, Davao del Norte when the army swooped down on
their plenary session.
"Ka Migo's death is a big loss, a very sad one. But as we grieve,
we shall always remember the ideals and principles that Ka Migo,
llke comrades who have gone bcfore him, died for," the CNL
statement titled "A Declaration of Martyrdom" and signed bv a Ka
Juan Solayman, said.
Solayman said Navarro was the first Catholic priest in Mindanao
to admit "having joined the underground, the Communist Party of
the Philippines (CPP) and, of having married a comrade".
Fr. Navarro joined the underground in July 1983 following an
arrest warrant on account of a subversion charge filed against
him by the government of ousted strongman Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.
"What's nice about being a revolutionary is that you have so many
lives," he once told a reporter in denying one of the earlier
death yarns.
Military reports describe Navarro as the leader of various NPA
attacks in Surigao del Sur, including the 15 February 1992 ambush
in Cagwait which killed 46 army soldiers.
Navarro served as the NDF-Mindanao chief negotiator during the
aborted 1987 ceasefire and represented the local NDF in several
negotiations for the release of government soldiers whom the
NPAs had captured and declared "prisoners of war".
Navarro was ordained a priest in 1975 at the age of 27. Before
joining the underground, he served as Social Action Director of
the Diocese of Tandag from 1978-1981 and was parish priest of
Diatagon, Liangatown in Surigao del Sur from 1981-83.
In a 1986 article published in the defunct Veritas, he told
writer Carol Arguillas: "If the priest wants an apostolate in the
rebel camp, they should be allowed to do so. lf we can provlde
chaplains for the military, why not for the New People's Army?"
"...If laymen were convinced to bear arms to give up their I
lives for the masses, why not a pricst? A priest's mission
involves giving up one's life," he added. nd
-----------------------------------------------------------
The News Digest is a fortnightly magazine published by the
Media Mindanao News Service, Inc.
220 Vincente Mapa St. / Davao City / Mindanao / Philippines
MMNS is a non-stock, non-profit news agency.
-----------------------------------------------------------
** End of text from cdp:reg.philippine **
***************************************************************************
This material came from PeaceNet, a non-profit progressive networking
service. For more information, send a message to peacen...@igc.apc.org
***************************************************************************
0 new messages