Press Conference at the Cathedral:

Bishop Ramento was a victim of an extra-judicial killing, not of a robbery with homicide

Oct 9, 2006   Posted Oct. 10, 2006

Representatives from church and human rights groups held a press conference on Oct. 9 at the National Cathedral of the Philippine Independent Church and presented the results of the investigation of their fact-finding group on the murder of former Obispo Maximo Alberto Ramento.

Prsent at the press conference were the following: Revd. Terry Revollido, Chairperson, Council of Priests; Fr. Joe Dizon, Kairos Philippines; Rev. Lito Tangonan, United Method Church; Ms. Sharon Rose Ruiz-Duremdes, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP); Most Revd Ignacio Soliba, Chairperson, NCCP and Prime Bishop, Episcopal Church in the Philippines; Vice-President Teofisto Guingona; Most Revd Godofredo J. David, Obispo Maximo, Iglesia Filipina Independiente; Ms. Ichey Ramento, daughter; Aldos Ramento, son; Jigs Clamor, Secretary General of KARAPATAN; Dr. Pamugas, from a medical group; and Atty. Alex Fernandez

Why was the bishop assassinated? Who ordered it? How was he killed?

The speakers at the press conference tried to provide the answers.

Press Conference

Quick Facts from the Fact Finding Report

*   Bishop Ramento was stabbed while asleep on his bed

     and woke up after the first 2 stab at his chest

*  After the first stab tried to stand up and was

     immediately stabbed again at his breastbone.

*  The intention of the assailant was to kill as can be

    gleaned from the two chest wounds. He was killed when

    he was lying on his bed and sleeping, unaware of what

    was going to happen to him.

* The integrity of the crime scene was not protected. The

    place was not dusted for fingerprints.

* The police investigation is questionable and designed

    to make robbery the motive.  While two priests of the

    IFI   were not allowed to enter and witness the

    investigation the mayor and barangay captain were

    allowed entry.

* Bishop Ramento is a victim of extra-judicial killing, not of

   robbery with homicide.

Fact-finding report, pages 1 and 2

Statement of the Ramento family on the murder: why they believe the bishop is a victim of an extra_judicial killing

IFI press release paged 1 and 2:

IFI rejects the haphazard, incredible PNP investigation of the case

Ecumenical service and candle lighting at the Cathedral, Oct. 5, 2006

Photos courtesy of PCPR/EBF