Group out to dismantle PBMA

Philippine Sun Star/May 19, 2003
By Louie B. Oranda

Surigao Del Norte --There are reports that the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association Inc. (PBMA) would be broken up soon, said Barangay Mahayahay chairman Cesar Villacensio Jr.

According to Villacensio, he received some information that a big group had some complaints about the present structure of the PBMA.

This group is the same people responsible for burning the PBMA's administration building. The fire was intended to free PBMA members "from the hold" of their cult leader Ruben "Bobong" Ecleo Jr., who in jail facing murder charges.

Villacensio said he believes the destruction of the PBMA building would discourage the members enough to make them leave the cult's fold.

For his part, Vice Mayor Zacarias Valez, one of the PBMA board members, said the burning didn't shake their faith in the principles and beliefs of the association.

"Dili sila magmalampuson sa pagbungkag sa unom ka milyon nga sakop sa kahugpungan ," Valez said. (The incident wouldn't break down the six million members of the PBMA.)

On the other hand, Villcensio cannot identify the group as of yet but said this group had long waged a campaign against the PBMA.