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Month: November 2017

Eight Years of Frustrated Justice for Maguindanao Massacre Victims

Andal Ampatuan. Photo credit: The Telegraph

PRESS STATEMENT

23 November 2017

Passionist Center for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, Inc. (PC-JPIC)
St. Paul of the Cross Pastoral Center
Old Novitiate Compound, National Highway, General Santos City
Contact person : Fr. Rey Carvyn P. Ondap, CP (0908-624-3330) / +1 (832)620-9826

How does one put in the various stages of grief eight years of waiting for justice for the families of the victims Maguindanao Massacre?

Should one still be shocked that the wheels of justice for this case continues to grind ever so slow when there is already a dedicated Judge to hear this case week-in week-out, but it appears she is no match for the bully defense counsels of the Ampatuans, epitomized by no-less than the Presidential Legal Counsel Sal Panelo who boasted to a foreign journalist he “packs” like an 18-year old and while he left as counsel around 2015, lawyers with a demeanor like him remain to this day as guardians of the basic rights of the accused Ampatuan Clan and their minions.

Or perhaps denial should still be the order of the day, given that such an event may be a collective nightmare and while it put the Philippines on top of the global list of countries hazardous to working journalists, hey, the passage of time truly blurs the jarring impact of such dastardly acts on the Filipino subconscious now, eight years after the event.

Anger is there still, it cannot be denied, and it actually boils up every now and then, especially when one of the supposed champion of the victims and their families, Atty. Harry Roque, of Center Law, who nearly threw the case away because he championed the early release of some lesser-known to equally-culpable perpetrators who will then have the capability to cause personal harm to the remaining families, now regularly pops up on radio, TV and social media, and he does not appear to have any concrete proposal to President Duterte his boss, how this case may be speeded up in its resolution.

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Deadly Philippine drug war wages on social media

Bishop, award-winning priest take on internet trolls in bid to combat killings in Duterte’s narcotics campaign

Argentinean Father Luciano Ariel Felloni of Novaliches Diocese accepts the 2017 Social Media Influencer of the Year at the 3rd Catholic Social Media Awards in Manila. (Photo by Joe Torres)

UCAN Joe Torres, Manila Philippines November 21, 2017

A Catholic bishop in Manila and an Argentinean priest in an urban poor community in the Philippine capital are using social media to draw attention to drug-related killings in the country.

Father Luciano Ariel Felloni of Novaliches Diocese said that through social media he was able to explain the contribution of the church in the government’s war against narcotics.

The priest, who is known for his “healing not killing” community-based rehabilitation program for drug addicts, was named “Social Media Influencer of the Year” at the 2017 Catholic Social Media Awards.

Father Felloni is one of several church leaders who have become the target of online criticism because of their vocal opposition to the killings of suspected drug users and dealers.

“By using social media to explain that our work has no political color, and that it is our contribution to the war against drugs, people change their opinion, they understand,” said the priest.

He added, however, that trolls are different. “They are paid to attack,” said the priest.

“Ignore the trolls, it’s obvious that they are fake,” said the priest. He emphasized, however, that people of other opinions should also be heard.

A “troll” is internet slang for somebody who sows discord by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community.

In a discussion at the 6th Catholic Social Media Summit before the awards night on Nov. 18, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan said so-called trolls shoot the messenger and ignore the message.

Suspected trolls have been attacking Catholic Church leaders who have been vocal against the government’s war on drugs. Bishops and priests have been accused corruption and sex abuses.

“The truth hurts,” said Bishop David, “but it sets the people free.”

Both Father Felloni and Bishop David said that instead of shying away from the so-called trolls and those who attack the church online, Catholics must look at it as an opportunity.

“If you don’t react to these statements, soon they become like Gospel truth,” said the prelate. “Truth has become a more serious concern in the context of so much untruth in things that we hear or read.”

“Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated,” said Bishop David, adding that online bashing will always be there but good work must continue “because people are interested in the truth.”

He said he uses social media to correct “[wrong] soundbites that are quickly accepted if they are not corrected.” The prelate said the result is “death of the conscience” if a lie is accepted as truth.

“As a church leader, I would feel amiss in my leadership if I allow the consciences of people to die,” Bishop David told about 600 mostly young people, who attended the social media summit.

The prelate said that through the use of social media people responded to his diocese’s program for the poor, including the families of victims of extrajudicial killings.

“God works also through social media. That’s also a forum for truth and empathy,” he said. “That’s what empathy is also about. It leads to compassion.”

Mum seeks poetic justice for son slain in drug war

Normita Lopez touches a photograph of her slain 23-year-old son, Djastin, during a Mass to remember victims of the government’s drug war killings in the country. (Photo by Angie de Silva)

Normita Lopez takes to writing verse in her fight to bring the Filipino policemen who killed her son to account

Inday Espina-Varona, Manila   UCAN Philippines  November 16, 2017

Normita Lopez has a dream and she has written it down as a poem for her 23-year-old son Djastin, one of the thousands slain in the Philippine government’s war against illegal drugs.

The poem is both a plea to God for justice and a pledge to her son who was killed next to railroad tracks in Manila’s urban poor district of Tondo.

“Before my eyes close in this life, may your killers be brought to justice, my child,” Normita writes in her elegy to her son who died on Sept. 20.

She wrote the poem while listening to a group of tribal people from the southern Philippines who shared their own experiences of killings and persecution.

“I was listening to them. Someone asked if I wanted to speak,” sad Normita, who has since become a member of Rise Up for Life and Justice, a group of families of drug war victims and their supporters.

“I was suddenly filled with an urge to write,” the mother of nine told ucanews.com on Oct. 31, the eve of All Saints’ Day and the start of two days of remembering the dead in the Philippines.

At least a hundred people filled the San Isidro Labrador Church in a northern Manila parish that has seen 50 residents killed in just over a year.

It was the first attempt at poetry for Normita, who wrote the lines on her mobile phone.

Written in Tagalog, the language of the Philippine capital, the poem starts as every mother’s story, with memories of excitement over a wanted pregnancy, the joy of her son’s birth, and the milestones in his life.

What followed were dark days that came with President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign to rid the country of drug dealers and addicts.

“In one blink, they took my son’s life, the son I love and will never embrace again,” Normita wrote.

“I will never see his smile again, will never hear his jokes, and the laughter that filled our house.”

She talked to her son, asking him to wait for their reunion in the afterlife. She talked to God, appealing that He grants her the grace to join Djastin when her time on Earth is up.

The poem ends with her prayer for justice.

Normita’s poem was passed from one mother to another, setting off tears among all those who attended the gathering.

Other mothers and fathers, wives and daughters and sons, and the human rights volunteers who work daily with the families of the victims, wept and hugged each other throughout the celebration of the Mass.

Father Gilbert Billena, parish priest of the host community, encouraged the families to find the courage to fight back.

“There is no law in this country and certainly, no law of God, that allows killings, especially of the defenseless and the innocent,” said the priest in his homily.

“Let us fight the scourge of illegal drugs, but not through killing,” he added.

The priest later told ucanews.com that rehabilitation programs, social services and employment for the poor who are forced into the narcotics trade “are the answers to the problem, but never killings.”

Normita noted a contradiction in the police report on her son’s death.

The report said Djastin was killed resisting arrest during a “drug-bust” operation. Later, the police issued another report, claiming the young boy was arrested for the killing of another resident.

“He was an epileptic,” Normita said of her son. “He was frail. How could he be a killer?”

Witnesses said the police who accosted Djastin beat him up before shooting him.

More than 3,000 people have been allegedly killed in “legitimate” anti-narcotics police operations since Duterte took power in 2016.

Thousands more have been slain in what police labeled as “deaths under investigation,” a category that includes what authorities describe as “vigilante killings.”

Local Formation Program for the Youth on December 16, 2017

16 November 2017

Dear fellow youth ministers,

The Mighty One has done great things for you and me!

With the joy of this Good News, we are able to share with you the National Youth Day (NYD) 2017 Formation Program!

This is prepared especially for the local observance of the NYD2017 this December 16 in our respective settings (in parishes, especially, as well as at the diocesan level, in campuses, in youth movements, etc.), following our national celebration beautifully hosted by the Archdiocese of Zamboanga last November 06-10.

Please join us, the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth, in thanksgiving to God for the grace that was the NYD2017 Zamboanga!  Together, let us also pray to Him for the Archdiocese of Zamboanga and its Archdiocesan Youth Apostolate which hosted this ecclesial event, for continued fruitfulness in the mission.  May we also appeal to youth ministries which participated in this gathering to carry on in post-NYD2017 national celebration undertakings with their delegates, to lead them and other young people to continue discerning, welcoming and responding to the great works of the Almighty.

With the motherly intercession of our Blessed Mother, may your local celebration of the NYD2017 become a powerful occasion to experience the love of God which continues to transform the world through and in each one of us.

Holy is His Name!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Fr. CONEGUNDO B. GARGANTA
Executive Secretary

Click the link below to download the recommended program of the Episcopal Commission on the Youth

NYD 2017 Formation Program_Dec16

Thank you.

“Preserve and Cultivate the Land; Clean the Air and Conserve the Water”

DIOCESE OF BALANGA

PASTORAL LETTER REGARDING POWER PLANTS IN BATAAN

Magmula noong December 8, 2015 hanggang December 8, 2016, sa utos ni Papa Francisco, ipinagdiwang natin ang Dakilang Hubileo na tinawag nating “TAON NG AWA.” Sa kalatas na Misericordiae Vultus (Bull of Indiction of the Extra Ordinary Jubilee of Mercy), binigyan diin ng Papa ang dakilang larawan ng Diyos Ama bilang isang mahabagin. At ang pagiging mahabagin na ito ng Diyos Ama ang isa sa masasalamin natin sa buong ministeryo ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo. Yayamang ang isa sa mga hamunin ng pagdiriwang ng Taon ng Awa ay ang panawagan sa simbahan na maging “presensiya at patotoo ng Awa ng Diyos sa Mundo” (Misericordiae Vultus, 22. ), niloob ng mga organizers ng World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM, 2017) na talakayin sa huling araw ng nasabing kongreso, ang paksa na mayroong kinalaman sa kalikasan. Ang huling araw na ito ay ginanap sa ating Diyosesis noong Enero 21, 2017 na may paksang , “Preserve and Cultivate the Land; Clean the Air; Conserve the Water.” 

Ano ang kinalaman ng paksang ito sa ating pagsusumikap na maging anyo ng pagiging mahabagin ng Diyos?   Sa kanyang liham Ensilikal Laudato Si, sinabi ng Papa na ang mga nilalang ng Diyos ay

“nanawagan sa atin ukol sa kapahamakang idinulot sa kanya ng ating iresponsableng paggamit at pag-aaksaya sa mga yamang ipinagkaloob sa kanya ng Diyos. Itinuring natin ang ating mga sarili bilang mga may-ari at panginoon na may karapatang abusuhin siya. Ang karahasan sa ating mga pusong sinugatan ng kasalanan ay masasalamin sa mga sintomas ng karamdaman na makikita sa lupa, sa tubig, sa hangin at sa lahat ng may buhay. Dahil dito, kasama ang lahat ng kawawang pinabayaan natin at pinahirapan, pinagpasan at nilapastangan, ang lupa ay ‘dumaraing dahil sa matinding hirap tulad ng isang nanganganak’.” (Laudato Si, 2.).

Sa maikling salita, gustong sabihin ng Papa Francisco sa ating lahat, ang daigdig sa kaniyang kasalukuyang kalagayan ay nanghihingi ng awa. At ang mga taong naapektuhan sa negatibong pamamaraan bunga ng pang-aabuso sa kalikasan ay nanghihingi rin ng awa. Ang awa ay kanilang hinihingi mula sa mga taong nag aastang Panginoon ng kalikasan. Nangangahulugan, ang maawa sa kalikasan at sa mga taong naapektuhan bunga ng pagmamalabis sa kalikasan ay isang konkretong pamamaraan ng pagpapakita at pagpapadama ng awa ng Diyos.

Sa pagnanais na makapagbigay ng wastong pagtugon sa hamunin na bigay ng Misericordiae Vultus at ang panawagan ng Laudato Si at WACOM 2017, kami ay nagpasyang sumulat sa napapanahong liham pastoral na ito.

Sa aming pagliham sa inyo gusto naming ipamulat at ipanawagan ang mga sumusunod:

A.   KALAGAYAN NG MUNDO SANG AYON KAY PAPA FRANCISCO

Kinikilala ng Santo Papa na malayo na ang narating ng sangkatauhan at ng daigdig. Mabilis ang pagbabagong nangyayari. Pero kasabay nito kaniyang binigyang diin ang ilang obserbasyon na hindi kanais nais at lubhang nakababahala. Una, ang bilis o tulin ng pagbabagong ito ay malayo sa likas na hinay ng ebolusyong biyolohikal. Pangalawa, ang mga nilalayon ng mabilis at tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago ay hindi palaging nakatuon sa ikabubuti ng lahat, at sa pang matagalan at pangkabuuang pag- unlad ng tao. At ang pangatlo, ang mabilis na pagbabago ay humahantong sa pagkasira ng daigdig at sa kalidad ng pamumuhay ng malaking bahagi ng sangkatauhan.

Mga nangyayari sa daigdig bunga ng mabilis na pagbabago

  1. Polusyon

Sa mismong pagwiwika ng Santo Papa, kanyang sinabi,

“May mga anyo ng polusyon na nakakaapekto sa mga tao araw-araw. Nagdadala ng samu’t saring pinsala sa kalusugan, lalo ng mahihirap, ang pagkakababad sa mga dumi sa hangin na nagdudulot ng milyon-milyong maagang kamatayan. Nagkakasakit sila…’(Laudato Si, 20.)

Ang hangin na itinuturing nating napakahalaga sa pag-iral ng lahat ng humihinga ay padumi ng padumi. Ang hangin na pumapasok sa loob ng ating katawan ay lubhang nakababahala dahil ito ay nagbibigay ng panganib sa kalusugan at buhay ng tao. Kaya sa mismong pananalita ng Santo Papa ang polusyon ang siyang sanhi ng maagang kamatayan at pagkakasakit ng nakararami.

2.  Pagbabago ng klima bunga ng tinatawag na Global Warming

Gamit ang matibay na pagkakasundo-sundo ng mga siyentipiko, binigyang diin ng Santo Papa na tayo ay

“nahaharap ngayon sa isang nakababahalang pag-init ng sistema ng klima. Sa mga huling dekada, ang pag-init na ito ay sinabayan ng patuloy na pagtaas ng nibel ng dagat at bukod pa rito, mahirap na hindi ito iugnay sa pagdami ng matitinding pagbabago sa panahon, higit pa sa maaaring ikabit sa isang sanhing matutukoy ng agham para sa bawat isang pangyayari.” (Laudato Si, 23.).

Sa maikling salita, ang global warming ay siyang nagiging dahilan kung bakit mayroong matinding pagbabago sa panahon. Dito sa ating bansa ito ay nararanasan na. Kapag panahon ng tag-init, katulad ng alam ninyo, mayroong bahagi sa ating bansa ang bukirin ay natutuyo bunga ng kawalan ng tubig. Marami tayong kababayan na ang kabuhayan ay nakasandig sa lupa ang hindi makapagtanim.   At katulad ng inaasahan, marami sa kanila ang nakakaranas ng gutom. Kapag panahon naman ng tag-ulan, kapansin pansin ang maraming tubig na binubuhos. Bunga ng malalaking baha na nararanasan natin, may mga nawawalan ng buhay at maraming ari-arian (katulad ng mga tanim, bahay, mga alagang hayop) ang lumulubog at nasasayang. At ang panghuli, huwag nating kalilimutan na mayroon ding kinalaman ang Global Warming sa palakas ng palakas na mga bagyong dumaraan sa ating bansa.

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A Day with Protect Manicani Island Society, Inc. (PROMISI)

Photo credit: Inquirer News

November 16, 2017
DENR, Visayas Ave., Quezon City

Background

Residents of Manicani island led by Protect Manicani Island Society, Inc. (PROMISI) have been struggling for years to fight mining operations in the very small island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Mining in Manicani was suspended in 2002 because of the complaint filed by the Diocese of Borongan related to the reports of violations and conflict in Manicani but the DENR continued to issue permits that allowed the removal of nickel ore stockpiles in Manicani which resulted into protest actions and legal battles including a Cyberlibel case filed by Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC) against PMPI for a press release covering one of the protest actions in Manicani. One of the protest actions also led to the death of one local advocate, a mining engineer and imprisonment of two Manicani residents.

Supported by PMPI, PROMISI filed a Petition for Continuing Mandamus against the DENR for its failure to implement the suspension order. Early this year, PROMISI also filed for attempted murder against their perpetrators in one of the protest actions that it conducted.

PMPI also facilitated PROMISI’s submission of petitions against HMC’s application to renew its mining permit. These were submitted to all barangay councils in Manicani, the Sangguniang Bayan of Guiuan, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Eastern Samar, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) both in the regional and central office, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also both at the national and regional office. Even the Diocese of Borongan have submitted petitions for non-renewal of HMC’s mining permit to the same offices mentioned above.

However, despite the petitions submitted, all four barangays in Manicani endorsed HMC’s application for renewal. PROMISI submitted an opposition to the Sangguniang Bayan for the resolution citing irregularities in the processes of the barangay councils. The SB of Guiuan opted to endorse the application also for renewal without due consideration of the opposition from PROMISI. A few weeks later, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Eastern Samar followed suit and endorsed the same application for renewal.

These developments prompted protest actions and media briefings organized by PROMISI, PMPI, and the Diocese of Borongan. Another protest action against the LGUs and DENR were organized by PROMISI, PMPI, Diocese of Borongan and other support groups in the ground – CSGI/LAMRAG, Sanlakas, PMCJ, ATM with support also from

NASSA-Caritas, TFDP, and AMRSP. PROMISI went into a camp-out at the DENR Region 8 office and later travelled to the DENR central office in Manila when they learned that the approval depends on the central office and not the regional office. The Manicani residents arrived last November 10 and are currently camping out in front of the DENR gates.

Activity Rationale

Spending at least a day with PROMISI is an expression of solidarity and support for PROMISI’s struggle to protect its island from total destruction brought about by mining operations. It can be recalled that Manicani was among those areas badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda and is still recovering at present. It is a very small island yet HMC’s mining contract covers the entire island limiting rehabilitation efforts and island development initiatives being implemented by partners of Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. – Tao Pilipinas, Medical Action Group, INAM, COM, Pecojon, SIBAT, SIKAT. It is also a protected area that forms part of the Guiuan Protected Seascape and Landscape. Furthermore, there are environmental protection mechanisms that include local ordinances banning large scale mining in Eastern Samar and in Manicani island. However, the island remains vulnerable due to threats of mining. While the mining contract expired last October 28, 2017, new mining applications are likely to be filed soon and PROMISI is encamped outside the DENR national office compound to ensure that no more mining applications will be approved.

For more details, please refer to the attached PMPI Statement of Support for no mining in Manicani Island which was also submitted to the DENR and MGB.

Activities for the Day

09:00 am – 10:00am Radio guesting with Veritas of key PROMISI leaders (arranged

by Sanlakas)

10:01 am – 11:00am Misa sa Kampuhan to be officiated by Fr. Pol Yazar 11:01 am – 12:00am    Kwentuhan with Manicani campers

12:01 am – 01:30pm Camp picnic

01:31 pm – 03:00pm Health hours with INAM (for confirmation) 03:01 pm – onwards          Kantahan sa Kampuhan

Organizers:

PMPI, TFDP, AMRSP

Ikalawang Liham Pastoral Tungkol sa Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

Diocese of Balanga
2100 Balanga City, Bataan

CIRCULAR LETTER 13/ 2016
Pastoral Reflection (White)
10 September 2016
St. Nicolas de Tolentino

Mga minamahal naming kapatid kay Kristo,

Isang maganda at mapagpalang pagbati po sa inyong lahat!

Mula sa ating karanasan na madalas nating naririnig sa ating mga magulang ang paalala na ito, “huwag maingay baka magising ang natutulog.” Mangyari pa tayo sa ating pagkilos ay maingat. Tayo sa ating pagsasalita ay malumanay o kaya ay mahina ang tinig.

Batid natin lahat, higit tayong mga taga Bataan, na may natutulog na Bulkan sa atin, dito sa bayan ng Morong. At ito ang Mount Natib. Hindi ba’t ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant ay nasa bayan ng Morong, doon na malapit sa Mount Natib?

Kung ipagpapatuloy o bubuhayin ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant hindi ba’t ito ay unti-unting paggising sa natutulog na Bulkan? At kapag nagising ang Bulkan naririyan ang tiyak na pagsabog. Nasaksihan at naranasan natin ang pagsabog ng Mount Pinatubo. Marami ang napinsala. Marami ang nasira. Nagkaroon ng malawak na kapahamakan at kahirapan na ngayon ay atin pa rin nararamdaman. Mayroon pa rin mga lupa at lugar ang hindi maaring taniman o bahayan.

Mga minamahal naming kapatid kay Kristo, higit pa sa ganyang pagdurusa ang maidudulot ng iniisip at inimumungkahing rehabilitasyong ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Nariyan sa pagsabog ng Bulkan ay pagkasira at pagsabog din ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Idudulot nito ay tiyak na malawak na kamatayan, hindi ng iilan, hindi ng iisang bayan, at hindi rin ng iisang lalawigan.

Mas mahalaga po ang buhay kaysa sa materyal na bagay o kaysa sa kaginhawaan ng katawan. Hindi mapapalitan ng pera ang buhay na mawawala o masisira. Hindi rin tama, hindi rin mabuti at lalung-lalo na hindi moral ang isakripisyo ang buhay at kalikasan dahil lamang sa negosyo, at pag-asenso.

Ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant ay lubhang mapanganib. Ito ay maghahatid lamang ng kapahamakan sa buhay natin at kabuhayan. Ang kauuwian nito kapinsalaan sa ating kalikasan, at kamatayan ng marami.

Batid po ng lahat, tinatanggap at itinuturo na ang Sierra Madre, ay nasa tinatawag na “ring of fire.” Ang ating lalawigan ng Bataan ay kasama rito, sa sinasabi nila na “fault lines.”

Huwag nawa’y mangyari at ipag-adya tayo ng ating makapangyarihang Diyos sa tinatawag nilang “the big one,” ang lindol, na tiyak na magdudulot ng malubhang kapahamakan sa ating bansa. Bakit po? Sapagkat sa paggising at pagsabog ng Bulkan sa Mount Natib o sa malakas na paglindol, tiyak na maapektuhan ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Kung magkaroon ng radiation leak o kaya ay pagsabog din, isang malala at malawakang pinsala at kamatayan ang tiyak na magaganap sa atin.

Kaya naman higit na nararapat na pagnilayan at tanggapin ang masamang maidudulot ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant kaysa sa kakaunting kabutihang maibibigay nito sa bansa. Higit na nararapat na isipin at aminin ang malala at pangmatagalang kapinsalaan sa lahat kaysa sa maiksi at panandaliang kaginhawaan maidudulot dahil daw sa murang kuryente. Higit natin tanggapin na ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant ay pakinabang lamang sa mga negosyanteng nagmamay-ari nito at sa mga suppliers kaysa sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino.

Mula pa noong itinayo ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant sa pundasyon ng katiwalian, pananakot at walang sapat na pag-aaral at pagsang-ayon ng mga tao; at kahit sa pangamba ng oil crisis, tayo pa rin ngayon ay nabubuhay ng maayos . Sa kabila ng inaalalang climate change kami pa rin sa Bataan at kayo pa rin ay nariritong naninirahan ng mapayapa’t masagana.

Sa ngayon ang bayan ng Morong na kung nasaan ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, ay umaangat at nagiging maunlad. Bakit po? Hindi dahil sa Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Ito ay dahil sa pangangalaga, pagsasaayos at pagpapahalaga ng kanyang mga dalampasigan at kabundukan. Sa buong bayan ng Bataan, ang bayan ng Morong ang mayroong pinakamaraming beach resorts, na ayon sa Bataan Tourism Center ay mahigit sa dalawampu. Sa bayan din ito matatagpuan ang dinadayong pangangalaga at pagpaparami ng specially endangered species na ang pawikan. Ang kanyang lupain ay isa sa mga pangunahing bukirin na nakapag-aani ng palay. Atin ba itong isasakripisyo sa hindi kasiguraduhang pagpapaandar ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant? Atin bang itataya ang ating buhay at kabuhayan sa kasangkapan ng kamatayan?

Bakit ba na palaging iginigiit ang rehabilitasyon ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant? Dahil ba sa pera o wala ng iba pa? Bakit hindi tignan at tutukan ang iba pang pinanggagalingan ng enerhiya? Ang mga ilaw sa national highway sa Lubao ng Pampanga ay dahil na sa solar. Dito sa atin ang mga ilaw ng simbahan ng mga Parokya ng Santo Cristo sa Cupang, Balanga at ng Birheng del Pilar sa bayan ng Pilar ay dahil na rin sa solar power. At doon naman sa Norte, inyong makikita ang mga malalaking windmills, na higit na nakatutulong sa usapin ng kuryente sa buong Ilocos.

Bakit hindi ito ang ating pag-ukulan ng pansin, pera at pag-aaral bilang panibagong panggagalingan ng enerhiya? Mayaman tayo sa tubig, sadyang mainit at mahaba ang ating tag­araw, at malalakas ang atin hangin. Ito ang atin nararapat na pagyamanin at subukan.

Mga minamahal naming mga kapatid kay Kristo, masarap pong matulog kapag tahimik sa ating kapaligiran at mapayapa ang ating kalikasan. Papaano tayo makakatulog ng mahimbing kung batid natin sa rehabilitasyong ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant tayo ay nasa matinding panganib at may naka-ambang kamatayan?

Kaya nga sa amin mga pari at mananampalataya ng Diyosesis ng Balanga kami po ay tumatanggi at tumututol sa rahabilitasyon ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Sa usapin tungkol dito sa- Bataan Nuclear Power Plant – ay tigilan na, tapusin na, tama na.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong pakikinig, pag-unawa at pakikiisa. Tanggapin po ninyo ang aking pasasalamat at bendisyon sa ngalan ng +Ama, at ng +Anak, at ng +Espirito Santo. Amen.

+Ruperto Cruz Santos, DD
Bishop of Balanga at CBCP Permanent Council Member
San Nicolas ng Tolentino, 2016

Mga Nalikom na Liham-Pahatid Laban sa Nuclear at Basura sa Bataan

DIOCESE OF BALANGA

Mga Nalikom na Liham-Pahatid (Circular Letters) mula sa Chancery Laban sa Nuclear at Basura sa Bataan

I.   PILIIN SI JESUS! TUTULAN ANG KASAMAAN!

Liham-Pastoral Ukol sa Pahayag na Muling Bubuksan ang Plantang Nukleyar

(Ika-7 ng Hulyo, 2008, Katedral ng San Jose, + Socrates B. Villegas)

Inumpishan sa kabayanihan ng Bataan sa ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigidigan, lalo na ang salaysay sa Pagsuko ng Bataan (Fall of Bataan), at ang “Bataan has Fallen”- Salvador P. Lopez. Isinasaulo ng mga mag-aaral. Kasunod nito ang kasaysayan ng Plantang Nukleyar sagisag ng pangungurakot at pagkaganid lalo na noong panahon ni Marcos, at ang matinding pagtutol at pakikipaglaban ng kaparian at mamamayan sa pagtatayo nito sa Morong. May panukala sa muling pagbubukas nito dahil sa Global Energy Crisis, at muling tinutulan ng kaparian dahil DI LIGTAS NA BUKSAN AT GAMITIN (unsafe) dahil itinayo sa paanan ng natutulog (dormant) na bulkan; batbat ng katiwalian at kapabayaan ang muling pagtatayo nito; at ang panganib ng mga manggagawa na hindi sanay sa Nuclear; HIGIT NA KALUNOS LUNOS KAYSA SA DIGMAAN- hindi lamang Pagsuko (Fall of Bataan) kundi “Pagsabog ng Bataan.” Lalo na ito ay nasa panganib ng lindol katulad ng Chernobyl; problema rin sa pagtatapon ng “radioactive waste materials” nakamamatay ng tao at mgalikas-yaman ng dagat. Ito ba ang pamana na ating iiwan para sa susunod na lahi? Ang ating pagsaksi bilang mga Alagad ni Kristo ay bilang tagapangalaga ng Kalikasan at hindi may-ari nito.

“ Ang usapin ng Plantang Nukleyar sa bayan ng Morong ay dapat harapin nang may puso, sa diwa ng Mabuting Balita! Kung si Jesus ay nasa Bataan, isang taga-Bataan, nakatitiyak ako na kahit ang Butihing Panginoon ay tatanggi at tututol dito! Sundan natin ang landasin ni Jesus! Ang landas ni Jesus ay ang landas ng mapananagutan at mapagkakatiwalaang pamamahala/at pangangalaga sa kalikasan! Kalooban ni Jesus na ang landas ng kaunlaran ay makatao, ganap at lubos-iniingatan ang sangkatauhan, kumakalinga sa sangkatauhan, nagliligtas ng sangkatauhan! Piliin natin ang landasin ng Panginoon!”

II.   ANG GANDA NG MORONG

Pahatid sa Bayan ng Diyos sa Morong

(Ika- 27 ng Marso, 2009, Katedral ng San Jose, + Socrates B. Villegas)

Pinanindigan ang pagtutol at paglaban sa muling pagtatayo ng nukleyar, sa pamamagitan ng mga katangian, at kagandahan ng Morong- umuunlad, dinadayo, maganda ang kalikasan, dagat, at dalampasigan,. Kasunod nito at dahilan ng pagtatanggol ay ang pagmamahal natin sa Morong. Gaganda ba ang Morong kung bubuksan ang Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)? Walang ligtas sa Nuclear reactor! Walang malinis sa NPP! Kung sa ibang bansa merong nuclear, sila na lang ang manganib, hindi mura ang NPP, ang bayad ay kalusugan ng tao, buhay ng kalikasan, at kaligtasan ng susunod na salin-lahi. Gaganda raw ang Morong dahil sa trabaho. Ang budget ay bilyong dolyar, sa utang, at ang mamamayan ang magbabayad sa buwis. Para pag-aralan at suriin ang kaligtasan ng NPP, P1 M ang kailangan. Kung pag-aralin natin ang mga bata at kabataan, mas mabuti pa kaysa pag-aralan ang NPP. HINDI LIGTAS ANG NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. Huwag sayangin ang pera ng bayan sa pag-aaral ng NPP. “Papangit ang Morong kapag binuksan ang NPP. Uurong ang Morong kapag binuksan ang NPP. Iiwasan tayo ng turista. Maganda ang Morong. Pangit ang Nuclear Power Plant. Bawal ang pangit sa Morong!”

(Due to time constraints, I was not able to search files in the Chancery during the time of our first Bishop, Most Rev. Celso N. Guevarra, DD regarding Anti-Nuclear Plant stand/fight of the Diocese. Msgr. Tony D. and our senior priests are credible authorities to testify)

III.       SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE SANITARY LANDFILL

Circular Letter No. 23, series of 1999 (Directive)

( +Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D.)

This letter was a directive for a signature campaign against Sanitary Landfill as the position of the Diocese. A position paper was attached entitled- “TUTULAN ANG PAGTATAYO NG SANITARY LANDFILL SA BATAAN. Isinaad sa pahayag na ito ang mga problema sa kamahalan ng pagtatayo, at opersyon nito at ang mga sumusunod na panganib ayon sa mga dalubhasa: Pagkasira ng kalidad ng tubig sa ilalim ng lupa dulot ng mga katas ng basura, at hindi maiinom ng tao sa loob ng 30 taon; Pagkalat ng sakit na may kinalaman sa basura at mga hayop na kaugnay nito; Pagbaba ng kalidad ng tubig sa kalapit na kapaligiran; Pagkawalang silbi ng lugar kahit matapos na ang pagtambak ng basura; at marami pang iba. Tila may nilulutong proyektong Landfill ang DENR at Pamprobinsiyang Pamahalaan para sa basura ng Metro Manila at mga karatig bayan na 6,000 tonelada araw-araw. Hindi tayo handa sa ganitong proyekto. marami pang ibang solusyon sa basura. TUTULAN ANG PAGTATAYO NG SANITARY LANDFILL SA BATAAN! ISULONG ANG MAS EPEKTIBONG ALTERNATIBO TULAD NG ENVIRONMENTAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PARA SA BASURA NG BATAAN! LUMAGDA AT MAKIALAM SA NAPAKALAKING USAPING ITO SA BATAAN

IV.   METRO MANILA GARBAGE

Circular Letter No. 16 Series of 2001 (Information)

( +Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D.)

This letter clarifies the news about Metro Manila garbage, “Ship Trash to Bataan, GMA orders” -Philippine Daily Inquirer, (October 12, 2001, A, p.25) and Philippine Star (October 18, 2001, p. 15). The Bishop spoke personally with the Hon. Gov. Leonardo Roman and came up with the following: There is no truth to the news that the garbage will be shipped to Bataan; Gov. Ding himself said that there is no absolute area here to accommodate the garbage of Metro Manila at this time, while Bataan is more than willing to participate in solving garbage problem, we are not yet ready to host an environment-friendly dumpsite. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 13, 2001, A, p.21, 27); In case the government extends help, the condition, it should be ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY.

            “We take the Governor’s words. We commend him for his position. However, we should be vigilant continuously. We should be united as a people in defending and protecting our environment especially our land, our rivers and seas.” Continue reading