Bishop denies support of missionaries to NPA

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – South Cotabato’s prelate on Wednesday assured there are no priests and nuns involved in the activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the province.

Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of the Diocese of Marbel, which covers Koronadal City and surrounding towns in South Cotabato, also denied insinuations by Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes that certain missionaries have been extending support to NPAs operating in far-flung areas.

Fuentes is the presiding chair of the South Cotabato provincial peace and order council.

The Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation, which has two radio stations in Koronadal City, had quoted Gutierrez as saying Wednesday that priests and nuns are merely working for the poor and needy sectors and are not involved in any uprising against the government.

Fuentes had earlier insinuated that there are nuns and priests helping train NPA recruits.

Gutierrez said Catholic missionaries are only helping fight for the rights of oppressed and marginalized communities in interior areas in South Cotabato.

The bishop said there is no truth to the assertions of the governor.