Message on the On Killings in the Philippines

“Courage not Fear: Vigilance not Silence"

By the General Secretary of Christian Conference of Asia

Sisters and brothers in Christ and friends,

We are alarmed over the continuously political killings in the Philippines. Over 700 were murdered – including nine pastors and twelve church leaders. While murderers remain scot-free. No one has been arrested. And the government’s army is accused of involvement in the killings.

We are anxious more killings will happen in the near future if Christian churches and human rights advocates worldwide would rest and temporarily be silent.

As Christians, we consider these killings signal that life is already viewed as cheap. It is also an assault to sanctity of life that only God gives. Human being has the inherent right to life; and it shall be protected by law. This is enshrined in 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Right. The Philippines is a signatory to these agreements. We are disheartened; it’s also the violator.

To date, Philippine Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights (KARAPATAN) recorded 726 men and women were murdered. While Nobel Peace Prize winner Amnesty International in its latest report said political executions almost doubled in the first six months of 2006, compared to the whole year of 2005.

We are saddened that killings started 5 years ago since Pres. Gloria Arroyo was installed to power, yet, till now justice for the victims remains elusive. Victims of families have grieved long enough. Though they received not only sympathy. Local and international institutions and organizations outraged against Pres. Arroyo’s administration. They condemned the use of violence in the strongest possible term.

World Council of Churches led global churches in joining with other voices calling for a stop of these evil deeds. Amnesty International, Vatican’s Papal Nuncio in Manila, International Parliamentary Union and several other groups in Europe, the Council of Bishops in the United States, and other countries petition the Arroyo government to stop the killings.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo heard their concerted voices.

In May 2006, Pres. Arroyo created Operation Usig (punish), to investigate the extrajudicial killings. Last August 21, 2006, as if Operation Usig is ineffective, she created “Melo Commission”. It is said to be ‘independent’ headed by a former Supreme Court Associate Justice tasked to investigate and probe the series of violent execution.

While we appreciate the president’s effort, we lament however, that her order is unheard in some quarters of the military.

Hours after her announcement, another militant leader in Southern Philippines was killed. Hermilito Marqueza a leader of United Farmers Union of Surigao del Sur, was shot dead by unidentified armed men who break into his house at about 11 p.m..

The day after, Army soldiers arrested eight members of Philippine Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights in Quezon province, over 100 kilometers south of Manila. The detainees, four of them women, are now charged with subversion.

We are anxious that presidential commission might have been created just to “calm down” the growing international and local pressure- that prompted Pres. Arroyo to create it. Or it maybe just a “window-dressing” to make it appear that the government is not only innocent, but is actually doing something to stop the killings.

Militant leaders in the Philippines are also alarmed that there maybe a systematic plan to eliminate critics and opponents of the government. It’s the main reason, they theorized, why killings attained such outrageous number.

Timing of violence is also doubtful. It happens when President Arroyo’s legitimacy as president has been in question due to charges of cheating last election. She is also accused of implementing economic measures that deepens poverty. Accusation of corruption also haunts her administration. All these resulted to widespread call for her immediate resignation.

Some leaders of Philippine churches and local critics are also apprehensive of Pres. Arroyo’s intention. They expect the president is bent on using all means and resources just to stay in power - including killings- more furious than before! If this happens, people’s anger will intensify. Killings will multiply into thousands. Dark periods of twenty years of Martial Law rule in this country has proven it.

As Christians, we believe blind faith in military violence is totally unwarranted and immoral.

We call on Churches and church-based organizations around the world to continuously watch, listen and again - speak. Their voices blend with the oppressed Filipinos toward higher level of protest.

Together with Christian churches of the world, The Christian Conference of Asia echo the calls to the Philippine government on the following:

1. To definitely put a stop and condemn political killings

2. Prosecute those responsible for the killings

3. Indemnify families of victims. Real justice can only be realized if it is given not only to the dead but also aid to victim’s family.

4. Assure the Filipino people and international community of independence and transparency of government-created commission by allowing international bodies to have access on its proceedings. Among these are bodies are councils of Office the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights particularly the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions, the Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders, and representatives of Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. and

5. Creation of mechanism for the prevention of political killings to effectively combat future practice of violent executions.

Together with people around the world, CCA calls on all Christians pursue our mission. Like Jesus Christ, we are called to preach the good new. He has anointed us to preach good news to the poor. He has sent us to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. (Luke 4:18-19)