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SAYING that he had suffered enough, representatives of the Catholic
Church said on Sunday that it welcomes the impending release from
prison of convicted priest-killer Norberto Manero.
Manero killed Italian priest Tulio Favali
of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Mission (PIME) in 1985 near
the village of La Esperanza in Tulunan, North Cotabato. Manero
accused Favali of being a communist.
Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles said that
Manero has suffered enough and already paid a high price for what he
had done, and deserves to be given a chance to live a normal life
again.
“The sadness remains that a priest, a just
man, is dead, but this must not block the road to forgiveness,” he
said.
Peter Geremia, also a PIMA priest, supported
Valles’ position, saying that he welcomes the release the
convicted killer. Geremia said the PIME sees no reason to oppose the
expected release of Manero. “
“We are agreeing because the witnesses,
bishops and clergy were consulted regarding his release. I was told
Manero even agreed to coordinate with us to promote the peace
process,” Geremia added.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez earlier said
that Manero will be freed “anytime soon” this year.
Gonzales told reporters that he is currently
reviewing Manero’s case, adding that “he would probably remain
in jail for the next three months” before a release order
could be issued.
Manero has been in jail for almost 23 years now.
He said he was “deeply sorry” for what he did, and wants to
dedicate the rest of his life in the service of the poor.
-- William B. Depasupil
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