Bishops alarmed at ‘legal harassment’ of ranks

The Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) has expressed alarm over the “legal harassment” of church leaders, members of the clergy and church workers, claiming that it is a new way of the Duterte administration to intimidate human rights defenders and peace advocates.

“A new normal under President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s government, law enforcement structures and the legal system have been used to threaten and harass church people, whom he seeks to intimidate with serious charges such as conspiracy or sedition, and the threat of jail time,” the EBF said in a statement.