By Leslie Ann Aquino A defamation case against a Filipino bishop has been dismissed by a Papua New Guinea court. (DIOCESE OF ALOTAU-SIDEIA FACEBOOK PAGE/MANILA BULLETIN) According to a CBCP News post, the court dropped the cyber libel case against Bishop Rolando Santos of Alotau-Sideia last December 23 for "lack of evidence." The Alotau Police Task Force sued the bishop for cyber libel for reporting an “abuse of authority” incident involving some authorities. The case stemmed from the prelate’s statement, accusing the police of burning several houses on September 1, 2019. In his Facebook post, he alleged that the cops were drunk when they burned the houses, including that of the diocese’s education ministry head, Gregory Nimagale. Bishop Santos and Nimagale were arrested on Sept. 4 but were later released on bail. Nimagale, however, will still have to face the court for allegedly “spreading false information.” “My accusers were not able to produce any evidence against me, and so the magistrate threw out the case,” Santos said. The bishop appealed for continued prayers for the families who lost their homes in Lavora and New Kitava compounds “because of burning done by the police.” “They are still living in makeshift houses, and we hope and pray that their cry for justice will be heard and just compensation be given them,” Santos said.