NCCP Statement on the denial of entry to Rev. Sadie Stone, USA Minister
Upon arrival at Manila International Airport, Rev. Sadie Stone, a clergy member of the United Methodist Church (UMC) California-Nevada Annual Conference and a member of its Philippines Solidarity Task Force (PSTF), was denied entry into the Philippines. Rev. Stone had been officially designated by her church to participate in the National Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission concerning the April 19, 2026 incident in Toboso, Negros Occidental, where 19 individuals lost their lives.
What is there to fear from a church worker whose mission has always been grounded in peace, justice, humanitarian concern, and the furtherance of respect for human rights?
The decision to bar Rev. Stone from entering the country raises serious concerns about the Philippine government’s openness to international engagement and independent human rights scrutiny. Rev. Stone has previously visited the Philippines to listen to the testimonies of families affected by the drug war and its many alleged extrajudicial killings. Her work has consistently been that of seeking truth, compassion, accompaniment, and solidarity with vulnerable communities. Such missions should be welcomed in a democratic society committed to transparency and accountability.
It is particularly distressing that pastoral visits by human rights advocates such as Rev. Stone are denied, while powerful officials and individuals implicated in grave human rights abuses continue to move freely and evade accountability. While figures such as Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co remain at large, individuals and organizations dedicated to upholding human rights, accompanying victims, and serving marginalized communities are often met with suspicion, harassment, and even criminalization.
As a Council of Churches, the NCCP urges the Philippine government to strike a new tone and welcome not only Rev. Stone but all human rights defenders currently “blacklisted.” We must strive to respect rights, restore freedoms, and embrace the common good which can be strengthened through the efforts of international solidarity partners. Transparency and accountability in the investigation of the Toboso killings is essential.
Truth must not be feared. A government secure in its commitment to justice has nothing to lose from scrutiny and much to gain from openness. The path toward peace, accountability begins not with exclusion, but with a willingness to let the truth be seen, heard, and known. #
