Statement by the Movement Against Tyranny June 17, 2021
The Movement Against Tyranny expresses its grave concern on military operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) that appear to have targeted and killed at least six unarmed civilians in Masbate and Surigao del Sur in a span of a week.
The first incident is the June 8 killing of three alleged New People’s Army combatants in Masbate City who the military accused as being involved in the killing of the Absalon cousins last June 6. Reports gathered by human rights groups indicate that Ailyn Bulalacao, Ramon Brioso and Antonio Poligrates were ordinary farmers who were abducted from their houses on the night of June 7 and then turned out dead the next day after supposedly fighting it out with government troops.
Statement by the Movement Against Tyranny June 16, 2021
The Movement Against Tyranny joins other human rights advocates and concerned groups in deploring the killing of two civilians and wounding of several others by elements of the New People’s Army in Masbate last June 6. The killing of unarmed civilians and non- combatants, intentional or not, are violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and cannot be condoned. We earnestly await the result of the investigation being conducted by the party involved.
We extend our condolences to the Absalon family. As a matter of justice, those found responsible for the incident should be held to account and indemnification be provided for the deaths of the two civilians and injuries to others.
This incident is a stark reminder of the untoward effect of the long- running armed conflict on civilians and non-combatants. It moreover underscores the need and urgency of addressing all violations of IHL as well as human rights as a whole by the protagonists in the armed conflict through mutually agreed mechanisms as provided for in the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). This unfortunate incident should not be allowed to lead to or be utilized for the further escalation of the violence, most especially leading to more civilian deaths.
Such tragedies will continue to happen unless all obstacles to resuming peace talks are removed and a political settlement is reached that addresses the roots of the armed conflict. Thus, we urge both parties to exert greater eforts to revive the peace talks.#
Ref.: Sr. Mary John Mananzan and Dr. Carol Araullo, MAT co-convenors
In line with the theme “Gifted to Give” during this year’s celebration of our 500YOC, may we forward and share with you this invitation from the CBCP-BEC commission under Bishop Joe Cabantan, D.D.
This “new way of being Church” is a gift to the Philippine Church. We have here the image of the Church as a community of believers, a community of disciples of Jesus who live in koinonia, in communion.
Please pass and share this invitation and link below to our fellow Laiko and together let us listen and learn how those in these BECs lived as a community of friends, sharing the word of God, sharing the bread of life, and sharing their material possessions, “so that no one was in need”.
In line with the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas’ theme: “Celebrate as One in 2021…Celebrate the Gift of Christianity, the Gift of Unity and the Gift of Mission!”, may we send to you a monumental declaration of the different Bishops’ conferences and councils in the Philippines. We thank the Holy Spirit for moving our pastors towards this direction.
May we ask you to prayerfully read this and personally forward this statement to our fellow Christian servants and leaders. Our hope is that during this time (of the pandemic, the entry of the typhoon months and the preparation for the 2022 elections), the whole body of Christ in our country can engage in meaningful and cooperative works within our local contexts.
My dear People of God in the Philippines and Filipinos in other countries,
Peace be with you!
As the first-fruits of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year, the Holy Father established the “World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be held throughout the Church every year on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ ‘grandparents’”.
Pope Francis reminds us that “The Holy Spirit still stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly today: their voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and safeguards the roots of peoples. They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young”.
This continues to be our experience, especially in households and communities where the young and the parents live with or in close proximity with their grandparents and elders. This is also felt in countries where Filipinos migrate or work. Generations care for one another, not only in seasons of abundance but especially in moments of trial. They share resources, skills, ideas, wisdom and faith with no thought for recompense except seeing their loved ones flourish in joy and hope.(cf. Christus vivit # 16)
Pope Francis warns us, however, that “Grandparents are often forgotten and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on”. As a country blessed by 500 years of Christianity, let us make sure that grandparents remain – and feel – that elders are cherished members of our families, communities and nation.
The Church in the Philippines, called to be a community of missionary disciples of the Lord, knows that the Church of the poor and the Church of young cannot be part of a throw-away culture that disposes of the very generation that teaches us: “ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan hindi makakarating sa paroroonan”.
As part of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year, let us – especially Bishops, Parish Priests and Lay Leaders – “promote initiatives that build bridges across the different stages of life, while also making the elderly into active agents within the pastoral care of the community”.(cf. Amoris Laetitia # 191-193)
As we celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly this July 25, 2021, let us all join Pope Francis in reflecting on the theme: “ I am with you always” (Mt 28:20)
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines:
Pilgrims for Peace and 1SAMBAYAN Online Forum on Electoral Issues for May 2022, held on June 2, 2021, 2-5 PM. Watch and learn about the history of the GRP-NDFP Peace Talks since the time of the late President Corazon Aquino and how important it is to continue the peace talks. Published on Sangguniang Laiko You Tube channel with permission from 1Sambayan.
A Unity Statement of the Christian Churches on the Occasion of the 500th Year of Christianity in the Philippines
As we commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines, we, the Christian Churches, give thanks and praise to our loving Triune God for the grace that sustained the faith. We are thankful for the countless men and women who offered their lives in fulfilling the mission “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:19-20).
We believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, our Savior, expressed in the Nicene Creed. We declare that we are one Ecumenical Family committed to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in words and way of life.
