The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) has celebrated the release of Rev. Nathaniel “Dodo” Vallente, a pastor detained for over three years on charges the church describes as “trumped up.”
In a pastoral statement titled “Perseverance and Hope Amidst Persecution,” the UCCP Council of Bishops (COB) expressed gratitude for his release while condemning what they call state-sponsored persecution tactics aimed at religious and community leaders.
Citing Psalm 104:13-14, the bishops said, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.” The church celebrated Rev. Vallente’s release as a victory over “evil and deceit,” thanking those who supported his case and prayed for his freedom.
Rev. Vallente was released after the Regional Trial Court in Bohol granted a Demurrer of Evidence on Sept. 6, 2024, dismissing charges of illegal possession of explosives. He also posted bail for a related firearms charge.
Arrested alongside members of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and other UCCP leaders, Vallente was accused as part of what the church calls a “state-sponsored modus of red-tagging and filing of false charges.”
The Protestant bishops condemned the persecution, describing it as part of the military’s “Oplan Sauron,” a campaign designed to target perceived subversives in regions like Mindanao, Negros, Samar, and Bicol.
“We vehemently condemn such acts of inhuman brutality while also urging the state to put an end to illegal and dishonest practices that eventually damage the sacred image of God in persons,” the pastoral statement declared.
Rev. Vallente’s release, according to the UCCP, does not signal the end of the struggle, as several charges remain pending.
The bishops highlighted their commitment to supporting others facing similar accusations, underscoring the message of resilience drawn from Romans 5:3-5: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
In a plea for continued support, the UCCP urged the faithful to “join us in praying for the safety of Pastor Dodo, his family, and others who are facing the same predicament,” signaling the church’s ongoing resolve to support individuals it considers wrongfully accused.
