MALOLOS CITY—At least three key leaders of the Nuclear Free Bataan Movement Network (NFBM Net), a group that opposes the reactivation of the Bataan Nuclear power plant, received death threats over the weekend.
Aurora Broquil, one of the convenors of the NFBM Net told Punto that she received a death threat on Saturday afternoon through a text message using the number 0918-715-8404 .
Broquil said that part of the message states: “Ang dulo ng baril naming ang huli mong makikita.”
She said that NFBM net leaders in Bataan namely Francisco Conra and Emily Fajardo received similar threatening messages from the same number on the same day.
“This is an intimidation against members of peoples’ organization,” she said.
Broquil believes that threat against them is meant to dissuade them from opposing the proposed rehabilitation of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
Last month, NFBM Net filed a harassment charges against police officers before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Manila.
She said they are now waiting for the CHR resolution on the case before filing actual charges.
Earlier, members of militant groups in Central Luzon renewed their opposition against the proposed rehabilitation of the BNPP which they called as the “Monster of Morong.”
Older NFBM members said that the proposed rehabilitation of the BNPP have rejuvenated their opposition after more than 20 years.
One of them is Monsignor Antonio Dumaual, the parish priest of Hermosa town in Bataan. The 33-year old parish priest of Morong town was one of those who opposed the “Monster of Morong.”
At 75, Dumaual may not be young and agile as he used to be, but he is still leading people to oppose the rehabilitation of the BNPP.
“Para lang nilang binuhay ang damdamin namin, tutol kami noon at hanggang ngayon sa plantang nukleyar,” Dumaual said.
He added that he may be physically weak, but his spirit is still willing and strong.
As chairman of the NFBM, Dumaual is one of the convenors of the NFBM-Net along with Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio, Bishop Florentino Lavarias of the Diocese of Iba, Zambales, Bishop Bobbit Mallari of the Archdiocese of Pampanga, and other representatives from different sectors.
He said that they were overjoyed when former President Corazon Aquino mothballed the BNPP in 1986.
But 23 years later, their joy turned to gloom.
“Nakalulungkot, parang nawalan ng halaga ang mahabang panahon na ipinaglaban namin noon,” he said but stressed that they have the advantage now noting the advances in technology.
He said that in the 70’s it was hard to organize people as the country is under martial law.
But they were able to disseminate information to the barangay level through concerned citizens.
“May text message na ngayon, noon wala, kaya mas madaling iparating sa tao ang impormasyon,” he said.
He also cited that they have the unconditional support of Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas unlike in the past when the bishop of Bataan “chose to stay in the sidelines.”
“Noon, tatlo lang kaming pari sa Bataan na nagsimula ng pagtutol at yung bishop namin ay ayaw na ma-front, hindi katulad ni Bishop Villegas ngayon talagang all out ang support niya,” Dumaual said.
Aurora Broquil, one of the convenors of the NFBM Net told Punto that she received a death threat on Saturday afternoon through a text message using the number 0918-715-8404 .
Broquil said that part of the message states: “Ang dulo ng baril naming ang huli mong makikita.”
She said that NFBM net leaders in Bataan namely Francisco Conra and Emily Fajardo received similar threatening messages from the same number on the same day.
“This is an intimidation against members of peoples’ organization,” she said.
Broquil believes that threat against them is meant to dissuade them from opposing the proposed rehabilitation of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
Last month, NFBM Net filed a harassment charges against police officers before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Manila.
She said they are now waiting for the CHR resolution on the case before filing actual charges.
Earlier, members of militant groups in Central Luzon renewed their opposition against the proposed rehabilitation of the BNPP which they called as the “Monster of Morong.”
Older NFBM members said that the proposed rehabilitation of the BNPP have rejuvenated their opposition after more than 20 years.
One of them is Monsignor Antonio Dumaual, the parish priest of Hermosa town in Bataan. The 33-year old parish priest of Morong town was one of those who opposed the “Monster of Morong.”
At 75, Dumaual may not be young and agile as he used to be, but he is still leading people to oppose the rehabilitation of the BNPP.
“Para lang nilang binuhay ang damdamin namin, tutol kami noon at hanggang ngayon sa plantang nukleyar,” Dumaual said.
He added that he may be physically weak, but his spirit is still willing and strong.
As chairman of the NFBM, Dumaual is one of the convenors of the NFBM-Net along with Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio, Bishop Florentino Lavarias of the Diocese of Iba, Zambales, Bishop Bobbit Mallari of the Archdiocese of Pampanga, and other representatives from different sectors.
He said that they were overjoyed when former President Corazon Aquino mothballed the BNPP in 1986.
But 23 years later, their joy turned to gloom.
“Nakalulungkot, parang nawalan ng halaga ang mahabang panahon na ipinaglaban namin noon,” he said but stressed that they have the advantage now noting the advances in technology.
He said that in the 70’s it was hard to organize people as the country is under martial law.
But they were able to disseminate information to the barangay level through concerned citizens.
“May text message na ngayon, noon wala, kaya mas madaling iparating sa tao ang impormasyon,” he said.
He also cited that they have the unconditional support of Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas unlike in the past when the bishop of Bataan “chose to stay in the sidelines.”
“Noon, tatlo lang kaming pari sa Bataan na nagsimula ng pagtutol at yung bishop namin ay ayaw na ma-front, hindi katulad ni Bishop Villegas ngayon talagang all out ang support niya,” Dumaual said.
