09/11/2022
Press Statement
9 November 2022
Free Rev. Nathaniel “Dodo” Vallente!
Dismiss trumped-up charges!
Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Isaiah 58:6b
Rev. Nathaniel “Dodo” Vallente, an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, has been detained under bogus charges of illegal possession of fi****ms and explosives since June 25, 2021. For more than a year, Rev. Vallente has suffered in detention, enduring state persecution and political repression for his work as a farmers’ rights advocate.
His arrest at around 2am on June 25, 2021, was under a political repression modus operandi of planting evidence while serving a search warrant. About 70 police and military operatives, forced their way inside the home of Rev. Vallente’s father-in-law in Barangay San Jose, Mabini, Bohol, mistaking it for the home of Rev. Vallente. Only after they began their “searching” of the premises, they asked where Rev. Vallente was and learned that Rev. Vallente’s house was nearby. They brought him to the first house. Vallente was arrested for illegal possession of fi****ms and explosives that the “search team” claims they found. Not only were these fabricated evidences in a home that was not specified in the search warrant, but they also arrested Vallente for evidence planted in a home where he was not residing!
As a peasant rights advocate, Rev. Vallente has an upstanding service record. He has partnered with local government units and accessed programs of the Department of Agriculture to help farmers in their productivity, thus improving their incomes. He is the adviser of the Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Mabini-Hugpong Mag-uumang Bolanon, a farmer’s organization registered with the Department of Labor and Employment and accredited by the local government unit.
Rev. Vallente is the administrative pastor of UCCP Tubnaw, Basyaw and President Garcia and is also a member of the Promotion of Church People’s Response-Bohol. His prophetic ministry and advocacy on farmers issues is the obvious reason for his being targeted for arrest, especially as the program coordinator of another Bohol farmers’ development organization, named FARDEC, was also arrested using a search warrant in the early hours of the same morning.
We stand together with Rev. Vallente to denounce these state attacks against him. We pray for his hearing at 10am, on November 10, 2022, that the judge will discern the false and spurious nature of the supposed evidence against Rev. Vallente to dismiss the case. Our prayer vigils and solidarity actions are an appeal for God’s action, and also a moment for the Filipino people to learn the truth of an upsurge in violations of human rights and civil liberties.
Rev. Vallente is INNOCENT of the charges levied against him. We stand together in defense of Rev. Vallente’s ministries! We denounce political persecution of Rev. Vallente and other human rights defenders! Drop the false charges against Rev. Nathaniel Vallente immediately!
Signed.
Bp. Ciriaco Francisco, Ecumenical Bishops Forum
Bp. Reuel Marigza,.National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Bp. Nonie Aviso, United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Fr. Rolly de Leon, Promotion of Church People's Response
Rev. Ma. Grace Masegman, Promotion of Church People's Response
Sr. Alice Andres, RGS, WJPIC
Dr. Edith Burgos, Ecumenical Voice
Deaconess Norma Dollaga, Kasimbayan
Pastor Maricar Delfun, Association of Women in Theology
Rev. Raymundo Gelloagan, National United Church Workers Organization, UCCP
Rev. Homar Distajo, Executive Secretary, UCCP
For interviews or further questions, contact us throught the campaign page or through the Promotion of Church People's Response at [email protected]
