Provincial governor threatens Methodist leader for harboring protesters in Philippines clash

April 05, 2016

The governor of the Cotabato province in the Philippines has threatened to taken legal action against a Methodist bishop who is charged with supporting "illegal demonstrators."

Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza of Cotabato told Bishop Ciriaco Francisco he could face charges for protecting protesters who fled from police after violent clashes. The governor said that "harboring these protesters is punishable by law."

Demonstrations by farmers protesting government corruption in Cotabato escalated into confrontations on April 1. Riot police opened fire on the crowd, leaving two dead and dozens wounded. The Catholic bishops of the Philippines denounced the police action as "unacceptable."

 

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Further information:

• Davao, government threatens bishop: Anyone who helps farmers will be punished (AsiaNews)