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Philippine church leaders welcome Duterte’s call for peace

President tells communists to take efforts to restart negotiations seriously or face consequencesPhilippine church leaders welcome Duterte’s call for peace

Philippine church leaders call for the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels to end half a century of insurgency in the country. (Photo: Jire Carreon)

Joe Torres, Manila, Philippines
December 9, 2019

An ecumenical church group in the Philippines has welcomed last week’s call by President Rodrigo Duterte to try and revive peace talks with rebels to finally end half a century of communist insurgency.

In a joint statement, Catholic and Protestant leaders said they “welcomed and celebrated” the president’s decision to start “back-channel negotiations” for the possible resumption of formal talks.

“The [Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform] summit hopes that these developments will pave the way for the immediate resumption of formal peace talks,” read the church leaders’ statement.

The ecumenical group was holding its annual “summit on peace,” which brought together 110 church leaders from all over the country, when it was informed about Duterte’s move last week.

They urged the government and the rebels “to work toward the resumption of formal peace talks to address the roots of the armed conflict.” They called for the immediate signing of a comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms and a bilateral ceasefire. A call for the immediate release of political prisoners was also made.

Faith communities, meanwhile, were called on to expand efforts to conduct “creative activities and dialogue … to further broaden support for the resumption of formal peace talks.”

 “We vow to continue to use our faith resources and moral leadership to further expand the work of [the peace platform] throughout the Philippines,” said the group. “We will not stop and we will break the walls between religions and build bridges instead.”

Duterte, who terminated peace negotiations with the communists in 2017, warned rebels to take the talks seriously or the government would continue its current campaign to stamp out the insurgency.

He said he wants formal peace negotiations to be held in the Philippines, a demand that was immediately dismissed by exiled Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison.

“I think there needs to be several steps before we could reach a point of having peace negotiations in the Philippines,” Sison said in a television interview from the Netherlands.

He said Duterte could start the process by adopting goodwill measures to create a climate for peace negotiations, such as by releasing political prisoners on humanitarian grounds in the spirit of Christmas.

“I think the president is intelligent enough to see there is also benefit for him and his administration that peace negotiations be renewed,” said Sison.

The Philippine government held talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines from 2016 to 2017 in Oslo, Norway. They broke down when Duterte accused the communists of violating a ceasefire.

In December 2018, he ordered the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to hold “localized peace talks.” However, police and military operations against communist rebels continued.

Church leaders, meanwhile, said there was a “shared recognition” that dialogue and peace talks are urgently needed but “effectively unworkable” when the government “demonized” the rebels.

“Reconstituting the peace panels [of both sides] and the resumption of the peace talks is the only way forward,” said the church leaders, mostly bishops. The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform comprises the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches,’ and the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum in an effort to work “for a just and enduring peace by supporting the peace process.”

Philippine church leaders make environmental plea on Human Rights Day

Activists condemn govt rights abuses in its war on drugs, efforts to put down communist rebels

Two alleged drug dealers are handcuffed during a police operation in Manila in March 2018. (Photo: Noel Celis/AFP)

Joe Torres, Manila, Philippines
December 10, 2019

Church leaders in the Philippines called on Catholics to protect the “common home” and “uphold the right to life” on International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.

In a statement, the social action secretariat of the Catholic bishops’ conference said the annual observance should serve as a reminder that care for life and the environment is a Christian duty.

The church leaders noted that environmental degradation brought about by “destructive and extractive industries” is a “violation of the right to life of many Filipinos.”

“We call on the Christian faithful and the Filipino people to stand together in defense of the environment and the right to life,” read the statement.

Hundreds of activists marked the observance of Human Rights Day in the Philippines by taking to the streets of major cities to dramatize their call for human rights protection.

The group Alyansa Tigil Mina (Stop Mines Alliance) voiced concern at what they described as “alarming threats” against human rights defenders.

Global Witness, an international human rights group, identified the Philippines as the most dangerous country for environmental and human rights defenders.

Human rights defenders have been attacked and in some cases killed by unknown assailants allegedly part of illegal logging, destructive mining and corrupt agribusiness operations.

“We are the victims of destructive mining practices. We only aspire for a better future for our families, but we have become targets,” said Malou Verano of Alyansa Tigil Mina.

The group called on the government “to stop endangering environmental defenders” and start holding accountable those behind the destruction of the environment.

Trade union workers also complained of “rampant labor rights violations” and the alleged crackdown on activists and government critics.

Protesters carried red-tag placards and wore red tags at the demonstrations to signify the red-tagging of government critics, including labor organizations. Red-tagging refers to the government accusing individuals and groups of being communist rebel sympathizers.

The 2019 Global Rights Index of the International Trade Union Confederation ranked the Philippines as among the bottom 10 of the world’s worst countries for workers.

Government blames communists

In a statement released to mark Human Rights Day, the presidential palace said the recruitment of young people “by groups that advance terrorism” has become a serious threat.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the government is committed to quelling the threat posed by communist groups that allegedly recruit children and youth as soldiers.

“Children and youth, mostly from indigenous communities and as young as 11 years old, are trafficked by local armed communists … and forced into becoming warriors,” he said.

Part of the government’s campaign to “quell this terrorist threat” is the closure of tribal schools, a move that has been criticized even by Catholic bishops.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly denounced human rights and human rights advocates, who have criticized him for his pronouncements and his bloody war on drugs.

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Tagbilaran Prelate urges all Bohol district reps to support ‘Rights of Nature Bill’

December 7, 2019
Quezon City, Philippines – The Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran earnestly appeals to all three of Bohol islands’ district representatives to support the passage of ‘Rights of Nature’ bill which was filed last November 25 at the House of Representatives by Quezon City 6th District Rep. Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonte.

Most Rev. Alberto S. Uy, D.D. sent an official letter to 1st District Rep. Edgar M. Chatto, 2nd District Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, and 3rd District Rep. Kristine Alexie B. Tutor on November 29 asking them pledge their support for the passage of the Rights of Nature Bill. The prelate has also asked all Boholanos to remain steadfast in protecting mother nature which they’ve done through the passage of several local ordinances like the Bohol Organic Agriculture Code, the Bohol GMO-Free Ordinance, Bohol Environment Code of 1998, as well as their most recent victory against coal-fired power plants through meaningful collaboration of the government, common people, and the church.

The Rights of Nature is a campaign spearheaded by the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) in cooperation with NASSA/Caritas Philippines. In the July 2019 People’s Congress organized by PMPI and NASSA, a loose movement called the Rights of Nature PH was established where more than 50 environmental organizations committed to push the RoN campaign.

Fr. Warly Salise, the Director of the Social Action Center of Tagbilaran, a PMPI partner, emphasized the importance community participation in protecting the environment.

“The church, just like any other entity, community or individual cannot turn away from opportunities towards protecting the environment and recognizing the rights of nature, the church should be in the forefront,” Fr. Warly Salise said.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) pastoral letter on ecology released on July 16 have also included a provision for Rights of Nature.

“The recognition of the Rights of Nature is at the core of the call for ecological conversion, as Pope Francis emphasized in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015. There he suggested that a “true right of the environment‟ does exist because we human beings are part of the environment. We live in communion with it, since the environment itself entails ethical limits which human activity must acknowledge and respect. Any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm done to humanity,” stated from the 9-page pastoral letter.

The RoN campaign aims to recognize nature to have its own legal rights just like humans and business corporations through the passage of the RoN Bill. It also advocates for a change in development paradigm, a shift from unsustainable economic and political policies favoring big business and extractive industries to advocating for a change in lifestyle and green living.

The inspiration came from Latin American countries particularly Ecuador and Bolivia, as both countries recognize RoN through their constitution and a national law.

In the Senate of the Philippines, Senator Risa Hontiveros filed the RON bill last October 2. Advocates are hoping to get support from other lawmakers in the senate.

Faith Based HR network in Action on Human Rights Day

Following the recently-concluded FB (Faith-based) National Conference on Human Rights held at BEC Center, Tagaytay last 21-22 November 2019, the first post-conference coordination has taken off for the upcoming Human Rights Day (71st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights) to celebrate the network’s milestones in the involvement and to express commitment and solidarity for human dignity and common good.

As agreed at the NCR group discussion on regional and national plans, the Catholic Church network or CBCP led by the Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP), also known as the CBCP-NASSA/ Caritas Philippines, will mobilize all 85 dioceses nationwide to ring all Church bells at 10:00am on December 10 (Human Rights Day) for at least 10 seconds (or 10 times) as a symbol of solidarity, as a minimum action, and/or celebrate mass at 5:30pm or 6:00pm with special prayers for the occasion, in addition to ringing Church bells, when possible. 

We are pleased to share with you the invitation letter of our National Director, Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD to all Bishops to celebrate the Human Rights Day as mentioned; this letter was endorsed by the CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles, DD, and sent by the CBCP Secretariat to all Bishops nationwide.  We are also sending this to the SAN.

There was an initial plan to have ecumenical service/ prayer gathering of the NCR faith-based HR network in the morning before going to (sending off to) the groups’ respective celebratory activities and expressions of solidarity on the occasion in the afternoon.  However, due to the varied activities in different places and due to time constraint, as well as to avoid creating another activity, we suggest that instead of a physical meeting, we encourage your organization/ or representatives to ensure your nearby parish or churches knows about the invitation to celebrate Human Rights Day by synchronized ringing of bells and/ or celebrate mass with prayer for human rights at the specified time.  Please feel free to use the attached letter as your guide.

After the witnessing of synchronized ringing of Church bells in the morning on December 10,  we recommend you join the mass for the victims of human rights violations organized by One Voice, which will be held at 1:00pm at the Sta Cruz Church in Manila and/ or the Banal na Misa para sa Katotohanan, Katarungan at Kapayapaan, organized by the AMRSP-JPICC at the Ateneo de Manila University at 5:00pm to be followed by procession and candle lighting along Katipunan Avenue, QC.

The following are the other upcoming activities to be undertaken by the Faith Based HR network  which participated in the National Conference; all are invited to join:

10 December 2019

1:00-2:30pm, Sta Cruz Church, Manila
Mass for the Victims of Human Rights Violations
organized by One Voice

3:00-5:00pm, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila
#DefendTogether Human Rights Day Rally
Organized by the Movement Against Tyranny
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and
Karapatan Alliance of the Advancement of Human Rights

5:00-6:00pm, March to Mendiola
(contact: Ms Gel Marcelino of MAT at 09475891578)

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The Fifth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM V)

Samoan delegates show their national flag after the announcement that the 5th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in 2020 will take place in their country. CBCP News

5° Congresso Apostolico Mondiale della Misericordia

The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization is pleased to announce that the next World Apostolic Congress of Mercy (WACOM 5), with the theme “Divine Mercy: The Ocean of Love that Envelops the Whole World” will take place from Monday, August 10 to Saturday, August 15 2020 in the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia, (Samoa, Oceania).

This Congress follows those already held in Rome 2008, in Krakow 2011, in Bogotá 2014 and in Manila 2017.

Please visit https://wacom5samoa2020.com/ for further information and to register for this event, or contact directly the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia through

Mrs. Lesina M. Levy, Secretary General for Divine Mercy Oceania Region, via email (divine.mercy@lesamoa.net), or via telephone (+685 7579370 or +685 7737487).

We are grateful to His Excellency Most Rev. Alapati L. Mataeliga, Archbishop of Samoa-Apia, for willingly accepting and diligently organizing such an important event, which highlights the mystery of divine mercy, that every baptized person is called to live and transmit.

Thanking you in advance for your kind attention, receive our kind regards.

Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization
Pontificio Consiglio per la Promozione della Nuova Evangelizzazione
Via della Conciliazione, 5
00120 Città del Vaticano
info@pcpne.va
Tel. +39-06-698-69500 | Fax +39-06-698-69521

WACOM 5 REGISTRATION FEES & BANK ACCOUNT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT

1.BANK NAME: ANZ Bank (Samoa) Limited Matafele, Vaimauga Sisifo, Upolu, SAMOA.
2.ACCOUNT NAME: WACOM5 SAMOA YEAR 2020
3.CUSTOMER NUMER: 973085676
4.ACCOUNT NUMBER: 4369892
5.PRODUCT TYPE: CURRENT ACCOUNT (Cheque)
6.BSB NUMBER: 010979
7.BANK SWIFT Code: ANZBWSWW

Kairos Palestine Statement on the U.S Secretary of State Legalizing Settlements

November 21, 2019

Kairos Palestine expresses deep disappointment that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced—in a statement that disregards the Geneva Conventions, international law and widespread global consensus—a radical departure from U.S. policy regarding the illegal colonial activities of the State of Israel.

In asserting that the United States will no longer deem West Bank settlements, including those in East Jerusalem, to be “inconsistent with international law,” Secretary of State Pompeo contravenes a 1978 legal opinion by the State Department—upheld with bipartisan support of former administrations—which determined that “while Israel may undertake, in the occupied territories, actions necessary to meet its military needs and to provide for orderly government during the occupation, for reasons indicated above the establishment of the civilian settlements in those territories is inconsistent with international law.”

Secretary Pompeo went on to announce that this move by the United States should not be viewed as the U.S. “prejudging the ultimate status of the West Bank.”  Recent actions by the Trump administration belie this statement.  These actions include moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, defunding UNRWA, shuttering the Palestinians’ office in Washington, D.C., attempts to redefine who may be considered a Palestinian refugee, and embracing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s annexation plans.  All these moves, including what to date has been revealed of the Middle East peace plan put forward by Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, have to be interpreted as U.S. attempts to force the capitulation of Palestinians to the will of the State of Israel.

In our holy text, the story is told of King Ahab coveting the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite (1 Kings 21).  When Naboth refuses the king’s offer to purchase the land which Naboth describes as his “ancestral inheritance”, a plot is launched in the king’s household to take the land by force.  A false charge is made against Naboth, which leads to his being stoned to death, after which King Ahab sets out to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard.  In the same way that the Lord instructed the Prophet Elijah to intervene and confront the king, Kairos Palestine asks its partners—people of faith and those of good will—to call on leaders of the U.S. government to reexamine its failed role as a facilitator of peace between Israel and Palestinians.

Secretary of State Pompeo and the government of the United States must understand that God’s community of justice, peace and provision for all—coming on earth as it is in heaven—may be delayed but will not be denied.  As stated in the document, Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth, “In the absence of all hope, we cry out our cry of hope.  We believe in God, good and just.  We believe that God’s goodness will finally triumph over the evil and hate and of death that still persist in our land.  We will see here ‘a new land’ and ‘a new human being’, capable of rising up in the spirit to love each one of his or her brothers and sisters.” (Kairos 10)

The Palestinian Christian initiative/ Kairos Palestine is initiated and led by Palestinian Christian leaders both clergy and lay people representing the different Christian denominations in Palestine

Labor Groups Welcome Mayor Vico’s Support to Regent Workers

Statement

Defend Job Philippines, Regent Food Workers Union and the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Regent Food Corporation today welcomed the first public statement of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on the long-standing labor disputes in the said company and the violent dispersal of the unions’ pickeltine strike in Pasig City and Taguig City last November 9, that led to the arrests and more than a week of detention of 20 striking workers, 2 volunteers of Defend Job Philippines and one tricycle driver.

In his social media account, Mayor Vico Sotto posted a statement defending the workers right to strike and a strong message against the Regent management condemning the misuse of privileged position to suppress the rights of protesting workers.

He also warned the management to rethink its positions against its workers if they still “want to have a healthy relationship with the city.”

Sotto also vowed to help in the bail and the process for the immediate release of the 11 remaining detained workers and their supporters who are still in detention at the Pasig City Police Headquarters. The relatives of the 12 others have initiated hard enough to raise the bail for their release last Friday.

As the local chief executive of Pasig City, we believe that Mayor Sotto’s open statement of support to the striking and protesting workers of Regent Food Corporation is instrumental and beneficial in proving the justness of the aired grievances of the labor unions as they mounted their strikes in Pasig City and Taguig City.

The statement must also serve as a strong message against the Regent management and its cohorts who planned and executed the illegal, violent and overkill dispersal of the labor strike last week.

We urge Mayor Sotto to help the workers return to their work as regular employees immediately and to support and assist them in their upcoming legal battles and hearings, as well as in prosecuting those involved in the dispersal including Irwin and Susan See; Social Justice Security Agency; officials of the National Capital Region Police Office; Chito Herbolingo (military agent-provocateur); Marvin Nocillado (bogus labor leader of the Regent management); among many others.

To date, aside from the charges being faced by the Regent 23, the Regent management is set to file more cases against the leaders and members of the unions.

We will not let the Regent management prosper in sowing fear against our ranks. We will not be coward and will continue the struggle until those who abused us for the longest time will not be prosecuted.

It is them that must be held accountable over their long list of abuses against their workers including decades-long of contractualization, low wages, unpaid benefits, unfair labor practices, violation on their rights to union and strike, runaway shop attempts among others.

Our fight is definitely far from over.

#RegentStrike
#BoycottRegentProducts
#FreeTheRegent23 

Regent Foods planning ‘run-away shop’ tactic after Mayor Vico warning, workers say

November 20, 2019

Regent Foods Corporation (RFC) management is set to implement a “run-away shop” tactic with its threat to transfer out of Pasig City, the snack manufacturer’s striking workers said.

“The Regent management just proved what we have been pointing out since we started our strike and mounted our picketlines last October 16 — that the RFC management will implement a runaway shop and lockout of its plant in Pasig City to get rid of the issues we are raising,” Regent Food Workers Union (RFWU) president Tita Cudiamat said.

Cudiamat was reacting to RFC’s statement that it is now mulls transferring its business out of Pasig City after Mayor Vico Sotto advised the company to rethink its position of filing charges against its striking workers.

“If you want to have a healthy relationship with our city, I highly suggest you rethink your position,” Sotto warned.

“Moving forward, RFC may simply accept its fate that the Pasig City Administration will unjustly make life hard for it and its 400-strong workforce, and contemplate simply bringing its business elsewhere,” the company said in a statement.

Cudiamat however said that RFC’s reaction to Sotto’s warning proves the company’s “illegal” plans.

Labor group Defend Jobs Philippines echoed the strikers’ accusations that RFC implemented a “long  list of unfair labor practices against their workers.”

“For the longest time, striking workers have been airing out and complaining about the management’s attempt of runaway shop, lockout, union busting, unfair labor practices, contractualization, low wages, unpaid benefits, and violations of the workers right to union and strike,” Defend Job Philippines spokesperson Christian Lloyd Magsoy said in a statement.

Magsoy defended Sotto who also raised funds to allow some of those arrested, including a bystander, to post bail last Monday.

“No amount of defensive statements and baseless attacks against Mayor Vico can justify the long-drawn hardships of Regent workers for almost three decades of existence of this company,” Magsoy said.

Both RFWU and Defend Jobs Philippines warned the RFC management to brace itself for countercharges they plan to file in several legal venues the company’s “unfair labor practices, abusive acts…and the violent dispersal” last November 9 that also injured several workers. “Instead of lying and spreading fake news and charges, the RFC management must focus in addressing our legitimate concerns. If they will remain firm in fabricating lies and stories, then we have no resort but to fight back in whatever legal and just means possible,” Cudiamat said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Bishop to BECs: Take Gospel to needy

Organizers and participants pose for a group photo during the closing ceremony of the 4th BEC National Assembly in Davao City Nov. 14. BRENDA P. MILAN

By CBCP News
November 14, 2019
Davao City

A huge gathering of Basic Ecclesial Communities workers ended Thursday with a missionary mandate to work for justice and for the safeguarding of creation.

Bishop Jose Cabantan of Malaybalay spoke about the Gospel and justice at the closing Mass for the 4th BEC National Assembly in Davao City.

“We are called to proclaim God’s kingdom in justice and love,” he said in his homily. “Also, we are called to share this Gospel to different sectors of our community.”

But to be able to minister effectively, the head of the bishops’ Committee on BECs said that all these spiritualities must be rooted “in our Christian spirituality”.

“All our lives, our minds, our hearts should always be rooted in Christ in order to proclaim the Good News that the Lord has entrusted to us,” he said.

More than 700 participants from across the country attended the four-day assembly, hosted this time by the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Davao.

Bishop Cabantan particularly cited the need to share the Gospel values to the indigenous peoples and the young Filipinos.

During the assembly, the partial result of a nationwide survey on the BECs was presented to the participants.

Conducted by the De La Salle University Research Team, the study focused on at least four areas: environment, goals, structure, resources and culture.

Among the challenges determined in the study include the competition of “denominations” in parishes and the “limited” participation of the youth.

The gap between senior and youth members and the clamor to form structures in appointing BEC leaders were also among the issues that need to be addressed.

But despite the issues, the survey stressed that the BEC is “alive and active” in promoting the mission of the Church.

“The presence of the Holy Spirit is active today among BECs,” the survey stated.

Researchers also found out that BEC members strive to integrate faith in daily life; there’s cooperation and openness between BEC and barangay leaders; and there’s inherent social action programs and catechesis in some BECs.

“This only proves that the challenge of Pope Francis to bring a new evangelizing fervor to renew the Church is actively present in the BECs in the Philippines,” they study added.

Invitation to a Forum on the Crackdown on Critics and Dissenters

November 19, 2019

Dear Friends,

Greetings of peace and solidarity!

The Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) and the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) would like to invite you to “Weaponizing the law, criminalizing dissent: A forum on the crackdown on critics and dissenters” on November 27, 2019, from 1-4 p.m. at the Quezon City Sports Club, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Q.C.

The following are the forum topics and speakers:

  • The legal offensive against critics and dissenters: trumped up cases, spurious search and arrest warrants, planting of evidence, red tagging and other schemes Atty. Edre Olalia of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers
  • The criminalization of dissent: Executive Order No 70, proposals to strengthen the anti-terrorism law, revive ROTC and other draconian measures, Atty. Neri Colmenares of the National Union of People’s Lawyers
  • On the sedition charge vs. VP Robredo et. al. and other harassment cases against critics and the opposition Atty. Marlon Manuel of the Alternative Law Groups

The forum aims to provide a deeper analysis and discussion of the virtual crackdown now being experienced by activists and critics of the Duterte administration, like the raids on the offices of several peoples organizations and mass arrest of 57 persons in Bacolod and Kabankalan, Negros Occidental last Oct. 31, as well as the expansion of the military’s red-tagging spree to include several religious and non-partisan humanitarian NGOs like Oxfam, Save the Children and Caritas.

It also aims to look into the wider implications of trumped up cases, including the ongoing sedition case against several bishops, priests and leaders of the opposition led by Vice President Leni Robredo, and the continued persecution of critics like Sen. Leila de Lima and Rappler publisher Maria Ressa.

More importantly, the forum aims to be a venue to discuss how to push back against efforts to curtail our freedoms and civil liberties.

You may confirm your attendance with Ms. Gel Marcelino at mobile no. 0947.5891578.

Thank you!