Statements of Support from Religious Discernment Group

Statements of Support
Religious Discernment Group Gathering
03 September 2022

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Proverbs 31:8-9

May we speak for those who speak for us

As we are called to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31: 8-9), we are also called to speak for the human rights defenders who stand up for the rights of the voiceless and who seek truth and justice.

The Religious Discernment Group (RDG) is one in prayer and solidarity with the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), Karapatan, and Gabriela in demanding the dismissal of the charges of perjury filed against these organizations and their officers by former National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., at the Quezon City Municipal Trial Court Branch 139 in July 2, 2019.

The perjury charges were filed against the officers of the three organizations when they sought protection from the Supreme Court through the writs of amparo and habeas data. Filed a few weeks after the Court of Appeals denied the petitions for amparo and habeas data, the complaint against Karapatan and Gabriela was initially dismissed by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Nilo Penaflor on November 8, 2019. However, on February 24, 2020, City Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano reversed the resolution.

Obviously, the charges are attempts to harass and discourage those accused from doing their work as human rights defenders; by silencing them, it is expected that they would not speak out to denounce the social injustices committed against victims of human rights abuses. In times of darkness, they have become light bearers. We pray that their light would not be extinguished by the very institutions that should be protecting them.

We are aware that the RMP, Karapatan and Gabriela have contributed so much to the cause of human rights and justice. They are simply fulfilling the ecclesial task of serving and defending the poor and the marginalized of Philippine society. We join our voices with those who seek justice for the respondents as the trial for the case reaches its end. We join our voices with those who seek justice for many others experiencing red tagging, harassment, vilification, illegal arrests and detention.

We believe that the laws of the land should protect citizens from threats and all kinds of harm and not be weaponized to suppress people’s rights. Treating human rights workers as criminals, amidst times when we are encouraged to be brave and to stand up and speak out, is worrisome. If the agents of the state can threaten human rights defenders, they can do more harm to the ordinary person, especially the voiceless and powerless. We demand that agents of the state put an end to all harassments and vilifications relentlessly hurled on the many faith-based human rights defenders to sow fear, to silence them and discourage them to pursue truth and justice. Let us stand up for truth!

May we then speak for those who speak for us, as we are continuously challenged to pray, hope and act for justice and peace in our land.

A Statement of Support for the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines

The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines came about as a response to the 2nd Vatican Council’s challenge for the Church, missionaries in particular, to be present and be of greater service to the marginalized sectors of modern society. More than fifty-three years ago volunteers from different religious and missionary congregations were organized into the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines which started to function as a mission partner of Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines.

Members of the Clergy and Religious congregations gave up the comfort and security of their convents and urban parish residences to reach out to farmers, peasant and indigenous communities, fisher folks. Pastorally they engaged themselves in poverty alleviation programs, literacy and education, and other related activities intended to help uplift the lives of our brothers and sisters marginalized into a deplorable situation of misery and exploitation.

The Church, founded to proclaim God’s peace and justice for all, is definitely opposed to the use of violence. Its respect for human life is absolute. The Church will always uphold the sanctity of human life and will never support terrorism. To accuse members of the RMP of financing terrorists and serving as a communist front is simply ridiculous.

We call on all those who have maliciously accused members of the RMP of consorting with

terrorists to immediately withdraw the absurd charges they have levelled against missionaries who have placed themselves at the service of our marginalized and exploited sisters and brothers.

We pray that they desist from any further attempt to harass them and obstruct their mission to the wretched and the poor of our land.

Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, mga alagad ng Diyos
naglilingkod sa mga kapatid nating isinasantabi at pinagsasamantalahan Mabuhay kayo!

Fr. Wilfredo Dulay, mdj
Convener, Religious Discernment Group
mdjwtd@gmail.com

Signatories to the 2 statement of Religious Discernment Group

Clergy:

1. Most Reverend Gerardo Alminaza,D.D., Bishop of Diocese of San Carlos/CWS Chairperson
2. Msgr. Meliton Oso, Social Action Director of Jaro Archdiocesan SAC
3. Fr. Domingo Barawid, MI (PCPR- Australia)
4. Fr. Benjamin Alforque, MSC Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
5. Fr. Ramon Caluza, CICM
6. Fr. Rollie De Leon (Diocese of Malolos)
7. Fr. Victorino Cueto, CSsR  Redemptorist Vice Province of Manila Baclaran Church National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Baclaran, Paranaque City
8. Fr. Edwin C. Borlasa, MSC (Thomas Aquinas Parish, Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan)
9. Fr.Aris Miranda,MI, Director-Camillian Disaster Service Intl
10. Rev. Fr. Oliver Castor,C.Ss.R., National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Baclaran
11. Fr. Leonido Dolor
12. Fr. Joselito S. Sarabia, CM, St. Vincent Seminary
13. Fr. Charlton O. Viray, SdC, Local Superior – SdC, Pangasinan
14. Fr. Wilfredo T. Dulay, MDJ, Coordinator General Missionary Disciples of Jesus
15. Fr. Marciano R. Andres, OMI DIRECTOR Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Cotabato City

Religious Sisters:

1. Sr. M. Lydia Villegas,OSB Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing
2. Sr. Sonia Aldeguer,RSCJ Society of the Sacred Heart; Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Cubao, QC; CMSP-JPICC
3. Sr. Arabella Balingao,RGS Religious of the Good Shepherd
4. Sr.Ma.Liza Ruedas,DC(DC-JP)
5. Sr.Rosa Ocampo,SFCC Sisters for Christian Community
6. Sr. Juana Maria Rivera,OSB Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing
7. Sr. Marinela Narvaez,SSS Sister of Social Service of Los Angeles, Philippine House Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, Bukluran Multi-Purpose Cooperative
8. Sr. Eleanor Llanes,ICM Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
9. Sr. Ailyn Binco,RGS  Religious of the Good Shepherd
10. Sr. Patricia Fox, NDS Sisters of Our Lady of Sion
11. Sr. Angelina Villanueva, R.C. Congregation of Our Lady of the Cenacle or Cenacle Sisters Parish of Our Lady of Pentecost, Diocese of Cubao
12. Sr. Luzviminda G. Mojica, FdCC Canossian Daughters of Charity servants of the Poor Canossa Academy, Calamba City
13. Sr. Agnella G. Capili, OSB Missionary Benedictine Sister Manila Priory
14. Sr. Nympha Que, MMS
15. Sr. Lydia Ebora, RGS
16. Sr. Rosalinda Maog, MMS
17. Sr. Antonia Redito, MMS
18. Sr. Fe Mandreza, MMS
19. Sr. Evangelista S. Africa, SNDS Sisters of Notre Dame
20. Sr. Miriam Noemi Francisco, OSB 21. Sr. Barbara Martha Magdaraog, OSB
21. Sr. Mary Ignatius Aquino, OSB
22. Sr. Delia Maria Singian, OSB
23. Sr. M. Guadalupe Bautista, RGS
24. Sr. M. Jane Pineda, RGS
25. Sr. Marilou Castro, RGS
26. Sr. Ma. Niña Niño, RGS
27. Sr. Rosemary Bacaltos, RGS
28. Sr. M. Cecilia Torres, RGS
29. Sr. Maryanne Terrenal, RGS
30. Sr. M. Rita Danganan, RGS
31. Sr. M. Natividad Lucero, RGS
32. Sr. M. Aurora Tan, RGS
33. Sr. M. Alicia Andres, RGS
34. Sr. Marie Goretti Bool, RGS
35. Sr. Josefina Estella, RGS
36. Sr. M. Susan Montano, RGS
37. Sr. Ma. Juanita Daño, RGS
38. Sr. M. Lourdes Fabia, RGS
39. Sr. M. Florencia Tio, RGS
40. Sr. M. Genny Dumay, RGS
41. Sr. Ronafel de Leon, RGS
42. Sr. Ma. Diana Carmen Cabasagan, RGS
43. Sr. M. Rebecca Rogacion, RGS
44. Sr. M. Marcia Mercado, RGS
45. Sr. M. Aida Casambre, RGS
46. Sr. M. Joan Salamanca, RGS
47. Sr. Ma. Ana Cielo Matuloy, RGS
48. Sr. Maureen Catabian, RGS
49. Sr. M. Henedina Mananzan, RGS
50. Sr. M. Florence Bautista, RGS
51. Sr. Ma. Leah Ann Espina, RGS
52. Sr. M. Ludila Panaligan, RGS
53. Sr. Elena Jalop, RGS
54. Sr. M. Juliet Abrigo, RGS
55. Sr. M. Amelia David, RGS
56. Sr. Teresita Elevera, FMM
57. Sr. Gliceria Manuyag, FdCC Canossian Sisters
58. Sr. Rebecca Pacete, MMS
59. Sr. Adelaida Ygrubay, OSB
60. Sr. Rosalind Tanhueco, OSB JPIC Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Manila Priory
61. Sr M. Regina Kuizon, RGS
62. Sr M. Emelita Malasmas, RGS
63. Sr Ma. Teresa Danganan, RGS
64. Sr M. Celeste Yuzon, RGS
65. Sr M. Anallyn Esguerra, RGS
66. Sr M. Pilar Quemada, RGS

Protestant Networks:

1. Edwin Egar (UCCP)
2. Aniceto William Villalon (UMC)
3. Deaconess Norma P. Dollaga (Kasimbayan)
4. Deaconess Rubilyn G. Litao Rise up for Life and for Rights

Lay Groups and Associations:

1. Lay Affiliates of the Good Shepherd (18 active members) (c/o Mila del Fonso – Assistant Coordinator)
2. Anabelle de los Reyes Teresian Association
3. Sanny F. Bautista , Payatas Solo Parent Association, Golden shower chapter |
4. Lorna B. Ballesteros Lay Discernment Group
5. Mrs. Editha Burgos, OCSD
6. Dr. Gerry M. Lanuza, PHD Professor, Sociology Department, UP Diliman