Category: News

It is with great sadness that we, your bishops, received the news of the crash of a C-130 aircraft in Jolo, Sulu. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the plane was transporting troops from Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao to Sulu province when it missed the runway on the island of Jolo. The soldiers on the flight were “fresh graduates and had just completed military training” and were “supposed to join other soldiers in the fight against terrorism.”

As your pastors, we share the pain of loss that this recent news has brought us. We condole with the families and friends of the several soldiers and civilians who were killed by the crash.

To our merciful Lord we commend the souls of our departed soldiers, and we invoke His healing hands upon those who have survived and who have sustained injuries.

We enjoin all our sisters and brothers – Christians, Muslims, as well as all people of good will – to continue to be united – in solidarity and prayer – with the search and retrieval team of our armed forces, those who are recovering in hospitals, and the families of the deceased.

In this time of sorrow, may we find consolation in the words of the apostle Paul: “We know that in everything God works for good.” (Rom 8, 28)

Assuring you of our prayers and solidarity in this time of grief, I remain For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines:

EILER
6 July 2021

Citing the ITUC Global Rights Index 2021, a labor NGO laments that the country’s labor rights situation worsened under the Duterte administration.

The Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research emphasized that the Philippines has been listed as second-worst worldwide for environmental and land rights defenders, and the deadliest country for journalists.

“The key issues mentioned by the ITUC Report through the years included extra-judicial killings, red-tagging and union-busting. These have been more prominent with the government agency NTF-ELCAC harassing and forcing workers to disaffiliate from progressive unions and federations,” said EILER Executive-Director Rochelle Porras.

Several families in the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel, which are considered “high-risk areas,” have already been evacuated

Jose Torres Jr.
July 5, 2021

A child rights organization has raised concern for the safety of children and families in the province of Batangas as Philippine authorities warned of the imminent eruption of Taal volcano.

Several families in the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel, which are considered “high-risk areas,” have already been evacuated.

Reports said more than 7,000 residents in Laurel town and nearly 14,500 people from Agoncillo are already affected by sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano.

“If the volcano erupts again, it could be deadly,” said Jerome Balinton, humanitarian manager at Save the Children in the Philippines.

He said thousands of families and children who have been forced to evacuate their homes are already temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers.

“We are also concerned that, amid the chaos of the evacuations, families will be unable to follow social distancing guidelines and are at risk of being infected with [COVID-19],” said Balinton.

At least 16 active cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Agoncillo and Laurel towns.

“If the evacuation of families becomes overwhelming, it may contribute to the spread of the virus,” warned Balinton.

“With the country still reeling from the fallout of COVID-19, a life-threatening volcanic eruption is the last thing these areas need,” he said.

Many families in the province of Batangas lost their homes and their livelihoods after Taal volcano erupted in January last year, covering several towns with ashes and sand.

Lawyer Albert Muyot, chief executive officer at Save the Children in the Philippines, appealed to local government units in the area “to ensure the safety and protection of children and their families.”

He said Save the Children’s humanitarian teams are on stand by and ready to respond, and provide displaced families with temporary shelters and other essentials, as needed.

14 July 2021
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
The peace & Love of the Lord,
We are pleased to endorse to you the invitation from the Responsible Parenthood & All Natural Family Planning Network to the Webinar on the “New Heroes of the Pandemic: Responsible Parents” on July 26, 2021, 2-5 pm via Zoom.
Attached is the invitation letter & the details of the event.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
(Sgd) ROUQUEL A. PONTE
President

2 July, 2021
Mr. Roquel Ponte
National President
Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas
2F LAIKO Building
372 Cabildo St., Intramuros, Manila
Dear Brother Roquel,
Greetings of hope and good health.
The world celebrates Parents’ Day on the 4th Sunday of July every year, to pay tribute to the noble sacrifices of parents everywhere. The RP ANFP Network recognizes the selfless love of parents in building up the next generation of citizens and desires to honor them in a special way.
In view of this, we are inviting you to a webinar on the “New Heroes of the Pandemic: Responsible Parents”, on July 26, 2021 from 2-5 PM, via Zoom and Live on ANFP Network Facebook page. The webinar is especially designed not only for parents, but also for educators, counselors, community and parish workers involved with families, youth, children, and the elderly.
As a sequel to the successful webinar last April, the RP-ANFP Network will now highlight the fact that amidst the threats presented by the COVID 19 pandemic, responsible parents as our modern day heroes are capable of creating opportunities for families to remain united, healthy and vibrant.
Practical guidelines founded on the realities of the present day situation are envisioned to emanate from insights from our eminent speakers:
 Archbishop-Emeritus Antonio Ledesma, SJ of Cagayan de Oro will discuss the Pastoral Approach to Humanae Vitae contained in Amoris Laetitia.
 POPCOM will provide insights into the challenges to families during this pandemic, specifically the persistent unintended pregnancies and domestic violence.
 Selected parents to share what families can do while facing these challenges.
 Rev. Fr. Luciano Ariel Felloni of “Almusalita” fame will discuss the various perspectives of responsible parenting in light of Catholic Church teachings.
Attached is the program of the event, as we look forward to the active participation of Sangguniang Laiko members. Please share this information to your members and networks.

Truly yours,

(Sgd.) Amelita D. Go, Ed.D.
Chairman

(Sgd.) Dr. Divina LUpe M. Lazaro, M.D.
President

(Sgd.) George Pimentel
Vice President & Executive Director

Plastic pollution is destroying many creatures and poisoning our air and rivers and oceans and people don’t seem to care

LICAS News
Father Shay Cullen
July 1, 2021

Plastic was and is a magical invention. It is a material based on oil and has thousands of excellent and life-saving uses. In the medical world, in construction, in tool-making, manufacturing of phones and other gadgets, cars, household items, furniture and almost everything you see has plastic in it.

Our modern world depends on plastic to sustain its present lifestyle. But that lifestyle built on the plastic revolution has its dangerous dark side. Everything we humans use and discard can have dire consequences for the planet.

Garbage is everywhere and it is damaging our health. Plastic pollution is destroying many creatures and poisoning our air and rivers and oceans and people don’t seem to care.

It is dangerous to health because it is a destructive chemical-based pollutant. The one-time use of disposable plastic stuff is so dangerous and damaging to our lives, our health, our environment. The fish we eat have plastic in them because the vast oceans are filling up with discarded plastic.

June 25 2021

Peasant advocate Carmilo Tabada, a barangay councilor and the program coordinator for Bohol of the Central Visayas Farmers Development Center (FARDEC), was arrested in his home in Trinidad, Bohol at 1:00am today, June 25.

A composite team of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reportedly planted firearms and explosives in his home.

Tabada is now detained at the Trinidad Police Station.

In March 2021, Tabada was subjected to an anti-communist rally in front of his house, with the rallyists claiming that he was hiding firearms. (Read: https://www.facebook.com/…/a.1275…/10157545800062331/…)

FARDEC reports that since this incident at Tabada’s home, red-tagging and surveillance of Tabada has increased.

Tabada has been a member of FARDEC since 1998. According to FARDEC, Tabada has contributed significantly to the rice mill in Trinidad, which aided farmers’ orgs like Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa San Jose (NAMASAJO) in setting rice prices and breaking buyers’ monopolies before the rice mill’s forced closure in December 2020.

FARDEC has previously been red-tagged by government agencies in 2019. In June 2020, Elena Tijamo, the Sustainable Agriculture Program Coordinator of FARDEC, was also abducted from her home in Bantayan Island, Cebu. She remains missing to this day.

Aninaw Productions also earlier reported the arrest of UCCP pastor Nathaniel Vallente in his home in San Jose, Mabini, Bohol at 3:00am today. Vallente is a counselor for NAMASAJO. (Read: https://www.facebook.com/118591512330/posts/10157718393717331/?d=n)

FARDEC says the midnight raids is similar to the Synchronized Enhanced Managing of Police Operations (SEMPO) of Negros Oriental and other parts of the country.

Dear fellow youth ministers,

Greetings in our Lord Jesus!

This Thursday, June 24, is not only the Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist but also the 15th anniversary of the signing of RA9346, which prohibited the death penalty in the Philippines.

May we extend these invitations to these two activities relevant to this significant occasion:

• Thanksgiving Mass and Solidarity Gathering (June 24), organized by the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC)
• Webinar (June 26) organized by the Coalition against Death Penalty (CADP)

Slots inside Zoom for both events are limited; if registration into Zoom is unsuccessful, then participation may also be via the Facebook Page of CADP, ECPPC or Youth Campaign against Death Penalty.

We trust that your respective youth ministries will work on being represented in these events, as the issue of the death penalty is something affecting our young people (whether as dependents of those in prison or as persons deprived of liberty themselves), and significant for our Christian faith, especially in the light of recent teachings from Pope Francis.

Thank you for your kind attention!

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Fr. CONEGUNDO B. GARGANTA
Executive Secretary