Sa kalatas, iginiit ni Presidential Spokesperson at Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo na ang mga pari at hindi ang Malacanang ang kailangang maglabas ng mga ebidensiya na nasa likod ito ng mga banta sa buhay ng mga miyembro ng Simbahan.
“Suffice it to state that it is elementary in law that the one who alleges must prove. Since the priests are the ones accusing the government or the President as being behind those death threats, it stands to reason that they have to prove their accusation,” sabi ni Panelo.
Ito ang sagot ng Palasyo sa hamon ni Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Permanent Committee on Public Affairs executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano na patunayan ng Palasyo na hindi ang gobyerno ang may pakana ng mga death threats.
“The burden of proof lies on them. Our position is that they bring their concern officially to any law enforcement agency so that the latter may conduct an investigation, and at the same time secure their safety,” ayon pa kay Panelo.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David na nakatanggap ng banta sa buhay sina Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas at sina Fr. Robert Reyes, Fr. Flavie Villanueva at Fr. Albert Alejo.