The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Northern Philippines called on the government for a “prompt and full-dress investigation” into the murder of an anti-graft activist in the country’s Mountain Province.
“We strongly condemn the killing of Salvador Liked. No human being deserves to be killed for any reason whatsoever,” said Episcopalian Bishop Brent HW Alawas.
“No human being has the right to take the life of another human being for any reason whatsoever,” read the bishop’s statement.
Still unidentified assailants shot and killed Liked in front of his house in the village of Balintaugan in the town of Bauko on September 2.
The victim was secretary general of the Citizens Crime Watch in the Cordillera and was active in exposing corruption issues in the region.
Liked filed several graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against several government officials and agencies.
He was also a member of his village’s council.
Bishop Alawas cited Liked for his “service and contribution to the Church and community” during his lifetime as an active member of the congregation.
Liked was cluster delegate for the church in several diocesan conventions and even initiated and was instrumental in the construction of a church in the village of Gutang.
“He negotiated the church site’s donation and then facilitated the processing of the tax declaration and transfer of the lot,” said Bishop Alawas.
The bishop said Liked also mobilized church members to render voluntary work for the church’s construction, now 90 percent complete.
“Sadly, he will not be physically with us to see the completion of the St. Martin’s Church building and its blessing and dedication. It falls on us to continue and complete the work he initiated,” said the prelate.
