AN official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday said he is unfazed by a TV program tagging his advocacy for justice and peace as “diabolical and demonic.”

“Recent red-tagging and the calling of my advocacy as ‘diabolical and demonic’ by the SMNI’s television program ‘Laban Kasama ang Bayan’ (during the Feb. 22, 2023 segment), by its hosts will never stop our commitment to peace and justice,” said Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, vice chairman of the

CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice, and Peace (ECSA-JP).

“As your pastor, I cannot be silent amid violence and injustices,” he also said in a statement.

In the episode, the program hosts, particularly Lorraine Marie Badoy and Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, repeatedly assailed Alminaza and his advocacies for supposedly making similar claims as the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

This is in response to earlier statements made by Alminaza as convenor of the Pilgrims for Peace calling for the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the CPP-NPA.

Alminaza said turning silent means surrendering the welfare of the perennial victims of similar red-tagging acts.

“As this TV program continues to malign and even invoke vicious threats against the work of Church people, bishops and pastors, dedicated activists, and ordinary persons, we should never be afraid, but rather be brave in speaking for the truth on behalf of the victims of injustice,” he said.

He also stressed that his advocacies and statements have enough basis, based on his personal knowledge.

“In the past, I have spoken of Toto Patigas, Zara Alvarez, and Dr. Sancelan, among others, whose killings remain unsolved. They had dedicated their lives to the quest for a just and lasting peace,” said Alminaza.

Bishop Alminaza is steadfast in his advocacy for lasting peace in Negros Island and in the whole country. He is also an advocate of environmental protection.