Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) condemned the Marcos regime for filing “terrorism financing” charges against two clergies from the United Methodist Church (UMC) and a driver in December 2024. State forces accused Rev. Julius Neri Camannong and Rev. Joel Ordaneza of UMC in Zamboanga Sibugay, along with driver Romeo A. Russell, of violating RA 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) case filed in a Zamboanga Sibugay court stated that former activist turned state agent Nelson Bautista Jr. Bautista named the three in assisting and giving him and another individual santuary based on recommendations from their friends.

Karapatan-SMR stated that in January 2024, Bautista and his companion traveled from the town of Midsayap, Cotabato to Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay to seek sanctuary. It firmly refutes Bautista’s fabricated story, which was used as the basis for filing the case.

The group stated that the pastors are “focused on promoting impoverished communities, supporting their struggle for justice, peace, and dignity, and practicing the prophetic role of providing sanctuary to human rights defenders suffering from state political repression.” They reportedly only assisted those in need.

“This series of terrorism financing cases against church people and individuals is chilling,” Karapatan-SMR spokesperson Grecian T. Asoy said. She added that the regime is squandering government funds and resources to suppress church people and progressives amid the extremely difficult economic conditions faced by Filipino families.

The pastors and driver submitted to court their counter-affidavits on January 9. The pastors declared that they spent nothing for those who sought sanctuary but only provided shelter as part of the church’s duty to the community.

Karapatan-SMR and the victims called for the immediate dismissal of the fabricated case.