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Two years ago today, Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, PIME, was gunned down inside the parish compound in Arakan, North Cotabato. His parishioners believe that members of the paramilitary group known as “Bagani” were behind the killing of the Italian missionary. The Bagani is believed to be organized and funded by the military as force multiplier in its counter-insurgency campaign. But the military has denied that Bagani exists.
This essay gives a glimpse of Fr. Pops’ life as a missionary advocating the rights of the indigenous peoples. Photos were taken from the archive of Arakan Parish with permission from Fr. Peter Geremia, PIME, who also serves as convenor of the Justice for Father Pops Movement.
