A Totally Misdirected Libel Suit
Published in TODAY
October 31, 1999
The P50-million libel suit filed by Davao City Mayor Ben de Guzman against
PREDA center and my self is totally misdirected.
The efforts of the good mayor could be better spent running after the members of
the suspected vigilante death squad and not after children's centers and
advocates. The money spent on filing fees and lawyers is better spent saving
children from death and giving them life.
All too frequently libel suits are used as a muzzle on the truth, too frequently
used as atool of intimidation to silence those of us who must speak for the
oppressed and the abused. Yet , all we want is bring out the truth and take a
stand for what is just and right.
My letter to the mayor--which provoked him to file the libel suit--did not
accuse him of any wrongdoing; it merely asked for justice for the children and
for their killers tobe brought to justice. Is it not reasonable to ask for
action and the poor?
My thanks to the many people who have called me from Davao pledging their
support and legal assitance.
Fr. Shay Cullen
Preda Center
Upper Kalaklan
Olongapo City
