Italy waiting for justice for Fr. Tentorio, says ambassador

Father Fausto Tentorio: Justice elusive. Photo from PIME website

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari has expressed impatience over the slow pace of investigation, arrest and prosecution of suspects in the killing of Italian priest, Father Fausto Tentorio.

“Italy is waiting for justice,” Luca said in a eulogy delivered at the Quiapo Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene on October 17, in connection with Tentorio’s first death anniversary.

A copy of that eulogy was furnished the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Friday by the Justice for Fr. Pops Movement, the main group pressing the government to pursue the suspects in the missionary’s murder.

Tentorio, 59, was leaving his convent in Arakan, North Cotabato, when gunned down by an assassin in October 2011.

His colleagues in the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (Pime) had blamed the military for his death.

“What makes us so indignant, in fact, is not the crime alone but the injustice, the impunity of the perpetrators,” Luca said.

He said despite repeated assurances by the Aquino government that justice would be served, the case has dragged.

“After one year of waiting, we have received several assurances from the Philippine government that the police will search, investigate and bring to justice the culprits. Now, we still remain patiently waiting but our patience has a term,” he said.

Luca said the indignation over Tentorio’s death was justified.

“We want to avoid, with all means, the risk that this case could be forgotten, or be put aside in the long run by everyday news. We firmly stand in seeking justice,” he said.

Last January, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a certain Jimmy Ato in connection with the murder but new testimonies emerged in April, pointing to the involvement of a paramilitary leader named Jan Corbala as the “brains” behind Tentorio’s murder.

Luca said Tentorio’s death should not cow the people from “be(ing) vocal about human rights” even if these days, “human rights defenders are facing threats to their lives.”

“I am deeply convinced that we must never be afraid to speak loudly of this subject, or to repeat concepts that must be carved in stone, in everybody’s mind,” he said.