08/16/2019 Philippines (International Christian Concern) – Pastors in the northern Philippines have told the military to stop paying visit to their churches because it has caused “fear and distress” among churchgoers.

UCA News reports that the appeal was made in a recent dialogue following reports that soldiers have been targeting outspoken religious leaders in their human rights advocacy by visiting them.

Reverend Jun Paplonot of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) said the sudden interest of soldiers in church activities and programs has made churchgoers anxious. He is aware of the “true intentions” of the visits, since church activities they were interested in, featured topics on “justice, peace, the integrity of creation, and ecumenism.”

Last month, the UCCP released a statement expressing alarm over unannounced visits of soldiers in churches and convents.

Protestant churches and their members who are social justice activists have been accused by President Duterte of supporting and working with communist rebels in recent months. Many denied the accusation and protested the “red-tagging” of Manila.

Father Ferdinand Lacanaria of the Philippine Independent Church (PIC) also expressed disappointment with the military during the dialogue for “not being truthful” about their intentions.

“I opened the church to you without reservation but all the while you were there to monitor my activities and organizational affiliations,” he said.

He told the soldiers to stop going to his church, noting that even his altar boy has expressed fear after a soldier asked for his mobile phone number.

In response, Lt. Col. Charles Castillo, commander of the Philippine army’s 81st Infantry Battalion claimed these visits were part of the military’s “peace and development” activities to engage with the civilian community.

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