Cotabato Clergy Seeks Revocation of Manero's Pardon
Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer
(February 12, 2000)
WE are saddened by the report that on Dec. 28, 1999 one of the convicted killers of Fr. Tulho Favali, Norberto Manero Jr., alias Kumander Bukay, was pardoned and released from national penitentiary with President Estrada's imprimatur, and that other two Manero brothers Edilberto and Elpidio, who were likewise convicted as conspirators in the murder together with four others, are likewise due for pardon this February.
We wonder why the most guilty among those who murdered Father Favali and who attempted to murder church lay leader Rufmo Robles and who burned Father Favali's motorcycle, is the first to be get free while those who are less guilty are still languishing in jail.
Let it be noted that their applications for amnesty were unanimously denied for reasons cited in the dis-positive portion of the National Amnesty Commission Resolution.
Norberto Manero alas -"Kumander Bukay" while serving sentence was also convicted for evasion of service of sentence for having escaped from jail in 1992.
At this time, their co-conspirator and co-accused Arsenio Villamor Jr. is undergoing trial after his arrest in Iloilo in November 1998, at the RTC Branch 17, Kidapawan City.
Now the release of the Manero brothers causes so much fear that the witnesses are unable to testify. Definitely, the government prosecutor and the private prosecutor, Gregorio A. Andolana, are at a loss for a good reason to encourage the witnessegs to come forward and testify again. Undoubtedly, the wheels of justice have been stopped by this unprecedented development.
On the other hand, three of the convicted prisoners, who were forced to go along with the commission of the crime -- Ruidy Linis, Severino Linis and Roger Bedano - are now willing to testify in the prosecution of Arsenio Villamor Jr., one of the,alleged brains of the persecution of church leaders in the Diocese of Kidapawan. But the release of Manero will make this more difficult, if impossible.
And at this Point in time, we really do not see any valid ground for granting pardon to Norberto Manero, who was and still is the leader of the gang, or Edilberto Manero, who was the triggermani in the coldblooded murder of Father Favali, or for their brother Elpidio Manero. All three brothers have never given evidence of sincere repentance. In fact, it is widely believed that they would return to their previous way of life.
Finally, we ask a question: Why can such notorious criminals be released without any notice to the aggrieved parties or to the public? We do favor the release of prisoners who are no longer a threat to society, but riot those who can cause great alarm for many people. With the precarious peace and order condition in the province of Cotabato, the release of the Manero brothers can be a dangerous sign adding to the fears and insecurities of our people.
With due, respect to presidential prerogative, we appeal to President Estrada's sense of justice. We appeal for the urgent reconsideration of the pardoned given to Norberto Manero and that the application for pardon of Edilberto Manero and Elpidio Manero be denied.
BISHOP ROMULO VALLES, D.D
AND THE CLERGY OF THE
DIOCESE OF KIDAPAWAN,
P.O. Box 107, 9400 Kidapawan City
