BCG Drops Libel 'Hired Killer' to Face Court Today Case vs.
Cullen
Published in The Mindanao Daily
Mirror
February 02, 2001
Mayor Benjamin de Guzman will drop the P50-million libel case he filed against Irish priest Fr Shay Cullen in 1999.
The move came upon the intercession of Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, who sent a letter through Fr. Pete Lamata and Fr. Paul Cunanan appealing for the pursuit of a win-win solution to the libel case against Cullen.
Capalla sent Lamata and Cunanan as emissaries because he is attending the Federation of Asian Bishop's Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
In response, city administrator Nestor Ledesma issued a statement saying de Guzman "has decided to forego the prosecution of Fr. Shay Cullen."
"Heeding the appeal of the religious sector led by Archbishop of Davao Fernando R. Capalla, thru his emissaries, Fr. Pete Lamata and Fr. Paul Cunanan and other non-governmental organizations, peoples organizations, civic groups and well-meaning Davaoeños, Mayor de Guzman, in the spirit of genuine reconciliation and unity, has decided to forego the prosecution of Fr. Shay Cullen and place all issues to rest so that he can attend fully to more pressing demands of the city. With this Davaoeños can move on and look forward to a better and meaningful life ahead of them," the statement said.
In their letter to de Guzman, Lamata and Cunanan said: "we can possibly pursue a win-win solution to the libel case you have filed against Fr. Shay Cullen, in the light of the present call for healing, reconciliation and genuine unity."
Cullen, together with three unnamed members of the people's Recovery, Empowerment , Development Assistance Foundation Incorporated (Preda); are standing trial on the P50-million libel suit lodged by de Guzman.
Their arraignment had been scheduled for today Friday.
De Guzman had accused Cullen of exposing him to public ridicule, contempt and hatred over the killing of two suspected drug couriers by the Davao Death Squad on July 6, 1999.
De Guzman said Cullen had claimed in emails sent to various parties that he (de Guzman) was "harboring vigilantes out to murder street children."
De Guzman also said Cullen claimed "the killing of malnourished, abandoned, vulnerable, defendless street children by motorcycle riding gunmen is a daily occurrence in Davao City.
De Guzman's dropping of the charges also came following the reportedly rally of street children and child rights advocates at the Regional Trial Court today to support Cullen.
Ayan C. Mellejor
