Pastor Balucio arrest: UCCP bishops cite psalm: “Crush the oppressor”

Seeking God’s Justice to crush the oppressor, many Bishops and church people joined hands in condemning the arrest of Pastor Dan Balucio.

The protesting Bishops said in a joint statement: “In a darkening moment like this, we pray with the psalmist:”

“May God vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.” (Psalm 72:4)

Over the weekend, various church groups had denounced the arrest of Pastor Dan Balucio in Sto. Domingo, Albay.

Several Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), through its Council of Bishops, strongly deplored the arrest of Pastor Balucio, around 3:30 A.M. Sunday, May 2, 2021 at his home in San Isidro, Sto. Domingo, Albay.

A church worker of the UCCP under the South Bicol Conference, Pastor Balucio was taken into custody by armed men of the police branch, CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group).

The UCCP bishops, in the statement, said:
” We see this as part of the continuing harassment against the church and against legitimate dissenters. Clearly, this is a product of the Anti-Terrorism Law which is now being utilized by the state as a tool of repression. It is unthinkable that the State persecutes the Church by trump-up charges in court to disparage the ministry that touches the roots of injustice and provides hope for the poor and marginalized communities.”

“We denounce this shameless act of state viciousness and call on the immediate release of Pastor Dan Balucio even as we also beseech the prayers and support of our constituents and partners worldwide.”