Risks in Inter-faith Dialogue (2)

In last week’s Shalom I mentioned that the weapons industry or the manufacture of arms and ammunitions in some First World countries is a multi-billion dollar business. Marketlng agents of these manufacturing firms directly or indirectly sell their products to both governments and rebel groups and insurgents. Reports claim that fanatics and prisoners are hired to eliminate peace advocates and peace makers.

There have been attempt at my life. The killers have been identified but that is all – only identified.

A man from Maraw Cityi, who was a gun runner or seller of arms, was arrested a month after he threw a grenade on the spot where I was supposed to stand. But I was five minutes late. It happened on Easter Sunday 22 April 1992.

About a thousand people gathered on Quezon Avenue, Illigan City, on the street between the St. Michael Cathedral and St. Michael’s College. It was the Easter Sugat when two female and male processions with statues of the Resurected Jesus and the Sorrowful Mother at the head of each group met on this indicated space where 13 little angels wecomed them with Regina Coeli Alleluia.

They all arrived at 4am and stopped in front of both buildings. A flatform had been erected for the angels one of whom would be lowered as soon as the statues meet. Right on the middle of the strret was an empty spot reserved for me to bless the statues and the angels. It is always an emotional moment, a beautiful sight to behold. After the singing there was a respectful silence as everone waited for me tp arrive. Then unknown to everyone Amor Ramos, gunner runner, threw a grenade which exploded and killed the 13 children and wounded several others. I was five minutes late! Oversleeping saved my life. The grenade fell on the spot reserved for me!

The police did not say the grenade thrower, Amor Ramos, was a Maranaw Muslim. He was identified only as a seller of guns.

Another attempt, actually three attempts, to kill me was discussed by two hired killers in a small restaurant in Iligan City. One said he had the bishop in his gun sight at the bus terminal but before he could pull the trigger a passenger would pass, and I disappeared in his sight. The same happened in the ferry in Kolambugan, and in the pier in Ozamis City. After the unsuccessful third attempt, he quit and admitted a feeing of fear. Fr. Pacifico “Boy” Gupana, one of my priests,sitting at the next table, overheard the two killers. Slowly moving out and fearful of his life, left the restaurant. He told me the story later.

In recent history Mahatma Ghandi of India, peace maker and originator of active non-violence movement, was gunned down in cold blood and killed. So was Martin Luther King, another peace maker and leader of the Black American Civil Rights Movement. Ali Agkha almost killed Blessed Pope John Paul 11 when he shot the Holy Father blessing a baby amid a huge crowd of people on St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

Life in interfaith dialogue is risky. But that is the price we have pay for peace.