- Fellow missionary of slain Australian woman slams Duterte for his crude rape joke
- He said her death affected him deeply as he was also ministering to PH jails during the same period
- He called on Filipinos not to vote for someone who speaks vile things against women
MANILA, Philippines – A fellow missionary of the slain Australian lay minister who was the subject of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s crude rape joke has denounced the presidential bet for his statement, saying it was uncalled for given the tragic circumstances of her death.
“ON BEHALF OF MY SISTER IN CHRIST, MISSIONARY JACQUELINE HAMILL, I (sic) PUBLICALLY DENOUNCE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY OF DUERTE, IN THE PHILIPPINES,” wrote Robin Haines Merrill on his Facebook.
Sharing a vintage photo (not Jacqueline’s) of a lay team ministering to a Philippine jail during the same period Hamill was active, Merrill– who also went on missions in the country for three years– said he was deeply affected by the death of his fellow missionary who was raped and killed by prisoners in 1989 during a tragic hostage-taking incident in Camp Domingo Leonor (now the Davao City Police Office).
She was only 36 years old at the time of her death.
“Looking back on this photo, I realize ministering in jails as a woman is very risky and looks outright naive, like the ‘you got what was coming to you’ mentality that is prevalent today. But all ministry and everyday LIFE is a big risk, and we must be obedient to the voice of the spirit of God, even if it leads us to death,” he wrote. “Jacqueline’s death affected me deeply personally, as I had been visiting just about every jail in Manila with the ACTION/CGM teams from 1986-89. I couldn’t yet speak the language but I could play the flute and just show love to people in horrible situations.”
Ending his post, Merrill urged Filipinos not to vote someone who utters vile words against women.
“LOVE TRUMPS HATE. DON’T STOP LOVING. DON’T VOTE FOR PEOPLE who speak vile things against WOMEN!! We are ALL made in the Image of God!!” read his ending statement.
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