The bishops of the Episcopal Church of the Philippines have called upon the government to remove the “terrorist” classification of an indigenous rights activist, saying the charge is unwarranted.
On 10 July 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Council labeled Sarah Abellon Alikes, along with Cordillera Peoples Alliance leaders Windel Bolinget, Stephen Tauli, and Jennifer Awingan as “terrorists”. Created by the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the ATC is a presidentially appointed body that may designate persons as “terrorists”, subjecting them to arrest for up to 24 days of preventative detention.
The daughter of former ECP Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Richard Abellon, Sarah Abellon Alikes was cleared of terrorism charges by the courts and military, the bishops’ 25 Oct 2023 letter states.
The bishops stated Mrs. Alikes was an active member of her Episcopal parish, a licensed lay minister and member of the Diocese of Santiago standing committee.
Mrs. Alikes thanked the bishops for their support, telling a local newspaper: “It is uplifting and encouraging when in times of tyranny, church people stand with the people and justice. This is a good example of our Christian duty, and for other religious denominations, to stand up for what is right.”
