HomeNewsHuman rights group denounces terrorism charge against church workers in Mindanao

Human rights group denounces terrorism charge against church workers in Mindanao

Human rights group Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region (Karapatan-SMR) has denounced the filing of terrorism financing charges against two pastors of the United Methodist Church (UMC) and a freelance driver, calling it an act of political persecution under the Marcos Jr. administration.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed charges under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 against Rev. Julius Neri Camannong, District Superintendent of the UMC Zamboanga Peninsula District; Rev. Joel Ordaneza, Administrative Pastor of Balingasan, Siay town; and driver Romeo A. Russel. 

“This series of terrorist financing charges targeting church workers and individual are outrageous,” said Grecian T. Asoy, Karapatan-SMR spokesperson.



According to the group, the case stems from allegations by state agent Nelson Bautista Jr., whose identity is reportedly “barely known by the three accused.” 

The complaint alleges that the three financed terrorism-related activities, leading to charges filed by the CIDG in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The accused pastors and driver received subpoenas from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Provincial Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) in December 2024. 

In response, the three submitted their counter-affidavits on Jan. 9, 2025, denying the charges and praying for the case to be dropped.

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Karapatan-SMR claimed the charges are baseless and politically motivated, emphasizing the unjust targeting of church leaders and their humanitarian work. 

The group added that the accused are focused on promoting justice, peace, and human dignity in poor communities.

Karapatan-SMR viewed the case as part of a broader trend of political persecution of church workers under the current administration.

“The Marcos Jr. regime would rather waste its time and resources on persecuting church workers and individual even as the country has yet to recover from being buffeted by economic hardships,” Asoy said.

The group further criticized the use of anti-terrorism laws to target human rights and peace advocates, describing the charges as fabricated and malicious.

Asoy criticized the Marcos Jr. administration for what she described as ongoing hostility toward church workers, individuals, and advocates of human rights and peace, urging an end to the arbitrary filing of baseless terrorist financing cases against them.

The group urged authorities to drop the charges against the accused and end what it claimed as state-perpetuated political persecution. 

The group reiterated its demand to protect church workers and human rights defenders from harassment and unfounded legal actions.

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