Support Letter From Mila Ramiro
2291 Linceo Street
1011 Pandacan, Manila
September 22, 2000
Honorable Secreatry Artemio Tuquero
Department of Justice
Padre Faura, Manila
Fax: 521-1614
Dear Secretary Tuquero:
Children are one of the most vulnerable members of our society. They need care and nurturing from their adults in order to grow healthy and attain fully their potentials. When they are abused, their right to this fruitful life is forfeited. They are dealt with darkness, many times a virtual death.
Yet, in this darkness there are individuals who guide their order for these children to see light again. It is not an easy task. There are many who would like to enslave these children for their selfish purposes and they would fight off as their enemies anybody who would set the young ones free. Fr. Shay Cullen and the staff of PREDA have had a lot of obstacles thrown thier way in setting the abused children free from physical and emotional bondage. They have been physically bruised and brought to court on false charges. In spite of it all , they persisted.
I have been visiting PREDA since 1994 and I admire its courage and work with the children. I studied its procedures and in an unobtrusive manner, I observed the way the children are cared for. The way the children's communal living is set-up, the caring procedures from the staff and houseparents who belong to Olongapo City communities would be an obstacle to anybody who would like to hide any misdemeanor inside in facilities. The girls have a way of expressing themselves that anybody would notice.
I believe that PREDA and Fr. Shay's social services are much needed by the abused children. Making the staff's life difficult through false charges is making life difficult for the children ultimately.
Ours is the duty to give these children a chance to see life in all its beauty. Towards this end, I send this appeal to your honorable office, I urgently propose that the false charges against Fr. Shay Cullen be dropped. Justice, therapy, counseling, and care should also be provided to the young victims who include not only the abused girl but her two young rapists as well so that they would grow into adulthood with a brighter life.
via fax message, dated
September 22, 2000
