RENDER WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
An Open Letter of the Executive
Commission of the Iglesia Filipina to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
‘They shall lay their hands on you, and
persecute you, delivering you up into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake… ...’ ((Luke 21. 12)
A year ago, the Iglesia
Filipina Independiente brought before you, Madam
President, our apprehension and indignation over the worsening situation of
human rights violations under your watch. We have urged you to look into the
spate of political killings of leaders of the legitimate political opposition,
militant activists, media practitioners and human rights lawyers, human rights
advocates in the country and the intimidation of church people specially
bishops, priests and church workers. We have strongly appealed to you to probe
the allegations pointing to elements of the Armed Forces of the
No words can express our frustration
when you treated our appeal with cold shoulders. We have expected you to extend
a helping hand to the families of victims of political killings and repression,
but we waited in vain. It pierced deep into our very souls to realize that your
heart does not hold affection for people who suffer from the violence of
injustice. The way you have simply closed your eye to the unabated series of
summary executions and abductions in the country is morally lamentable. Your
manifest disregard to the rampant violation of civil liberties and the
democratic rights of our people is second to none.
‘In her was found the blood of
prophets, and of saints, and of all who have been slaughtered...’ (Revelation
18. 24)
We watched with pain and indignation
the continuing violent persecution of church people that, by now, has resulted
to the death of twenty-four priests, pastors and church workers from different
Churches even as political slaughter goes unabated and the victims of
extra-judicial killings swell up day after day. The international community can
only be right when it stressed your apathy to address these grave issues of
human rights violations in the country.
Perhaps, the people are right when they
say these realities do not bother you at all because it is really you who
benefit from the abductions, assassinations and coercion of individuals who are
openly critical and opposed to your administration. Maybe, the people are right
in believing that the military is behind these political killings to terrorize
those who question the legitimacy of your office, bureaucratic corruption and
the death of democratic processes under your government.
‘What have you done? Listen; your
brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.’ (Genesis 4.10)
Our conscience obliges us to speak to
you in truth, Madam President. The blood of those who were innocently killed
cries from the ground. The signs of the times are urging us to stand and speak
up lest darkness overcomes what is right and just. Do not blame us if we dare
say that we have already lost confidence in you to bring to an end the
worsening situations of political killings and violent repression of our
people, in as much as we believe that it is to the cause of justice and peace
and for the good of the nation that you should voluntarily step down from
office in the most immediate time. We ask you this sacrifice knowing that you
too believe that the Filipino people deserve a president and government that
would genuinely promote their welfare and well-being and uphold their interests
as citizens of this our beloved land.
Our prayers go with you, Madam
President, as we ask you to reflect in the light of our Christian faith and
find the courage in your heart to render what is right and just to the Filipino
people. Only then can you regain our trust and the respect of our people.
† THE M0ST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Obispo Maximo
7th September 2006
Obispado Maximo
City of