“The just man is one who is virtuous, faithful to God and to the law of Moses.” (Mt. 19, 17-20)

The Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples (ECIP), its National Secretariat and the whole Indigenous Peoples Apostolate network join the Diocese of Kidapawan, the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) and the lumads of Arakan in mourning the brutal slaying of Fr. Fausto Tentorio, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato and the Tribal Filipino Program Director of Kidapawan.

It is very unfortunate that a real advocate and mover for indigenous peoples’ rights suffered this tragic end during the Indigenous Peoples month of October.  We condemn in the strongest possible term the brutal slaying of Fr. Fausto Tentorio.  We are one in calling for the immediate but thorough and transparent investigation surrounding this crime.  We want the perpetrators, particularly the mastermind, be brought to justice for the immediate resolution of the case.

According to Mindanews, Fr. Fausto was gunned down at around 8:30 Monday morning, 17 October 2011, just as he was preparing to leave his convent in Arakan Valley , North Cotabato, for the 9 a.m. clergy meeting in Kidapawan City .  Bishop Romulo dela Cruz  told MindaNews that Fr. Fausto was hit on the left side of his head, chest and side while in his vehicle, preparing to drive for Kidapawan City.  Fr. Tentorio was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Medical Specialists Hospital in neighboring Antipas town at around 9:05 a.m.

Fr. Fausto was a pastor for lumads since the early 80’s.  The third Italian PIME killed after Fr. Tullio Favali and Fr. Salvador Carzedda, whose apostolates were focus on the poor and deprived Lumad and Moro peoples, respectively. Fr. Tentorio had organized the tribal organization called the Tinananon-Kulamanon Lumadnong Panaghiusa or TIKULPA in Arakan Valley . He was appointed Tribal Filipino Program Director of the Diocese of Kidapawan since 2010.

For the ECIP- IPA Network

(SGD) MOST REV. SERGIO L. UTLEG, D.D.
Archbishop of Tuguegarao and ECIP Chairperson

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