Parents of detained UCCP pastor walk for freedom, appeal to Supreme Court for immediate release

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

One Year in Jail for Pastor Berlin Guerrero;
Family leads Pilgrimage Walk for Freedom and Justice

The United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel and Flora Guerrero, parents of Pastor Berlin Guerrero, led a Pilgrimage Walk for Freedom and Justice on May 26, 2008 to dramatize the call for the immediate release of Pastor Berlin.

One Year in Jail for Pastor Berlin Guerrero; Family leads Pilgrimage Walk for Freedom and Justice

“When my husband Pastor Berlin was snatched from our family’s arms by plain-clothed men on our way home from Church one-year ago, I had no idea how our lives would be uprooted. At first I was unspeakably afraid that Pastor Berlin would be killed and that I would never see him again. When he was surfaced under the custody of the police, I was so happy to see my husband alive. One year has passed and our fight for Pastor Berlin’s freedom is not yet over. We are determined to fight for justice, for Pastor Berlin and all victims of Human Rights Violations,” says Mylene Guerrero—wife of Pastor Berlin.

“Pastor Berlin’s courage and principles are an inspiration. He has always lived in service of the Filipino people and the Church. I am outraged that torture-death squads are operating within our government’s intelligence network. And I am indignant that they are so ‘unintelligent’ as to attack Pastor Berlin and accuse him as a ‘pastor-impostor.’ My brother deserves his freedom,” adds Rev. Ephraim Guerrero.

“We keep praying that the Supreme Court will release our son Pastor Berlin. We have faith that God is always with us as we seek justice,” say Samuel and Flora Guerrero—Pastor Berlin’s elderly parents.

From within the Cavite Provincial Jail, Pastor Berlin has continued his ministry. A new and thriving choir is even expanding their talent to include educational theatre. Pastor Berlin conducts a weekly ecumenical service and bible study with the support of the UCCP. Even more importantly, Pastor Berlin had just finished a Clinical Pastoral Education course in the weeks before his abduction; he has applied these skills as counsellor for his co-detainees. Pastor Berlin chooses to take a very frustrating and unjust detainment with the attitude that God can use him in this time to serve the imprisoned, their families, and the Church.

“Pastor Berlin was even awarded the Community Empowerment Award from Union Theological Seminary. His work with the people imprisoned at Cavite Provincial Jail is impressive,” shares Rev. Mary Nebelsick, UTS
Mission Co-worker Professor from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

“We are excited to see the growth in UCCP prison ministry at the Cavite Provincial Jail. It is certainly disturbing that Pastor Berlin Guerrero is unjustly detained. At least, God is using Pastor Berlin’s persecution for ministry amongst the marginalized of Filipino society,” says Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua, UCCP General Secretary.

The persecution of Pastor Berlin Guerrero has dramatically affected his three children Mark Eugene (18yrs), Lora (16yrs), and Jairus (14yrs). Due to security concerns, the family has been dislocated and two children were forced to stop their schooling. Until now, they have not been able to maintain their own home. The stress and trauma has impacted the family. The torturers threatened to sexually assault Pastor Berlin’s wife Mylene and teenage daughter Lora in front of him; even with counselling and support, Lora remains traumatized. The youngest son Jairus also had emergency surgery when he experienced life-threatening intestinal adhesions; this complication of an abdominal surgery in infancy was also likely induced by the stress and trauma of the last year.

“My father has taught us to be strong in the face of adversity. We are doing our best to follow his example,” says Mark Eugene, the eldest.

“We just want our father home with us. We miss him very much,” echo Lora and Jairus.

“Pastor Berlin’s abduction, torture, and detention under a trumped-up charge have presented heavy challenges to our family, but we will not be discouraged. We will continue to walk in the way of Jesus Christ and share our lives with others. Our walk to the Supreme Court today is testament of our faith and determination,” concludes Mylene Guerrero.

The Pilgrimage Walk begsn from the UCCP National Office, Shalom Center, 1667 Antonio Vasquez St., Malate and culminate at the Supreme Court. The family presented an appeal to the Honourable Magistrates to facilitate the quick resolution of the case.

Pastor Berlin was abducted one-year ago on May 27, 2007. He was tortured and interrogated as an alleged member of the Communist Party of the Philippines. He was then turned over to the PNP Camp Pantaleon, Imus Cavite where a warrant for a trumped-up murder charge was presented. Until now, he remains detained at Cavite Provincial Jail while the Supreme Court deliberates on a Certiorari for his immediate release.

Contact Person: Rev. Ephraim Guerrero, brother of Pastor Berlin