Unity Statement adopted by the National Peace Conference

Pilgrimage for Just and Lasting Peace: 
Our Continuing Commitment Amidst Intensifying Crisis

We, peace advocates from different faiths and social sectors from all over the Philippines, have come together under the banner of the Pilgrims for Peace, to hold a National Conference on Peace, to celebrate the first anniversary of Pilgrims for Peace and the 11th anniversary of The Hague Joint Declaration of the GRP and NDFP.

We, Pilgrims for Peace, fully support formal peace negotiations that aim to address social, political, and economic problems, which are at the roots of armed conflicts. More than two years have passed since the last formal peace talks between the GRP and NDFP. We are therefore concerned that the government has offered a so-called “final peace agreement” to the NDFP and MILF which calls only for their capitulation.  The GRP has ignored previous mutual agreements like The Hague Joint Declaration and labeled the key participants of the peace negotiations as terrorists. 

We cannot agree with the concept that peace comes with mere neutralization of armed groups fighting the government.  We hold firm that a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of the armed conflict and social unrest.  

Globalization, as purveyed by the World Trade Organization, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund, contributes to unpeace by exacerbating hunger, poverty, joblessness, and displacement among peoples of the world.  Globalization has destroyed the agricultural sector of the Philippine economy, and sidetracked the centuries-old problem of landlessness for those who till.  On top of these, the government is wrought with corruption and crony politics. 

The US’ untrammeled drive to consolidate its economic and political hold all over the world through its “war on terror” has brought a terrible plague to many sovereign states including the Philippines by declaring Southeast Asia as its second front in this war on terror.  The present administration has echoed and abetted this war by declaring an all out war against the NDFP and the MILF, and intensifying repressive and fascist measures against the people.  The government has also sacrificed our sovereignty by allowing the direct US military intervention, again contributing to the state of unpeace.  

We thus conclude that these unjust economic and political structures are major obstacles to peace.  We affirm our call for the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the contending parties, and call on all Filipinos to build a peaceful Filipino society in various ways they can.  Our challenge now as travelers in the journey for a just and lasting peace is to strengthen solidarity with all sectors that are struggling to build a truly peaceful, just, and democratic Philippine society.

September 4, 2003

ASSOCIATION OF MAJOR RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS IN THE PHILIPPINES
28 Acacia Street, New Manila, Quezon City

Tel. No. 724-44-34	448-56-44	Fax: 725-34-78		E-mail: amrsp@pworld.net.ph

SOLIDARITY STATEMENT

The quest for just and lasting peace, based on freedom, democracy, and social justice, is indeed a continuing challenge for all of us. In the midst of the worsening global and national crisis, we, peace advocates, are evermore encouraged to exercise greater dedication and vigilance in our struggle to achieve and enjoy the blessings that peace brings.

We, the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP), express our solidarity with the Pilgrims for Peace as they celebrate their first anniversary and as they hold their National Peace Conference entitled “Just and Lasting Peace: A Continuing Challenge Amidst Intensifying Global and National Crisis.”

We also commend Pilgrims for Peace in their efforts to enlighten and educate our citizenry on the current status and prospects of the GRP-NDFP and GRP-MILF peace talks. The understanding of the issues and developments in this regard is crucial in our efforts to build bridges that will establish stronger ties in assuring the success of the on-going peace talks. 

This declaration of support and unity is an expression of our own conviction to the ideals and principles of peace. It is also our way of manifesting our own commitment to unceasingly work towards the achievement of just and lasting peace. 

As we join hands in working together for peace, let us pray that we become genuine peacemakers as we bear witness before the world to the “gospel of peace” which Christ has given to us.

MO. CLARITA BALLEQUE, RVM			BRO. ARMIN LUISTRO, FSC
					
                                      AMRSP CO-CHAIRPERSONS

Peace advocates assert de-listing of Sison as terrorist; reiterate demand for resumption of peace talks

Pilgrims for Peace asserted the immediate de-listing of Prof. Jose Maria Sison and reiterated its demand for the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing, August 12.
  
Filed by Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo, Crispin Beltran and Liza Maza, House Resolution No. 850 calls for the immediate de-listing of Prof. Sison’s name and that of the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army from the controversial terrorist list, and the unconditional and complete restoration of all of Prof. Sison’s social benefits to which Prof. Sison is legally entitled as a political refugee.  

The Most Rev. Julio X. Labayen, Bishop-Prelate of Infanta and The Most Rev. Deogracias Iñiguez, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Kalookan and Co-Chairperson of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) reiterated the urgent appeal of the Pilgrims for Peace to remove the obstacles in the peace process. Both bishops affirmed that peace advocates oppose the terrorist listing on Prof. Sison, as it constitutes a grievous violation of his human rights. The terrorist listing has also seriously derailed the peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP.

Rep. Apolinario Lozada Jr., Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Rep. Nereus Acosta, Committee Vice-Chairman, both acknowledged the negative implications of the controversial terrorist listing on the peace process.

“The de-listing of Prof. Jose Maria Sison and the CPP-NPA as terrorists, the restoration of Sison’s social benefits as a political refugee and the resumption of peace talks are four issues that are inter-related,” said Lozada.

Political refugee

In a message, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople stressed that Prof. Sison “does not qualify as a political refugee and he is not under political persecution in the Philippines.”  Ople further said, “He [Sison] should come home and answer to his crimes.”  

Dr. Carol Araullo, Pilgrims for Peace convenor and one of the resource speakers at the hearing, debunked Ople’s statement.  She cited the recognition by the Raad van State (Council of State) of Sison as a political refugee under the Refugee Convention and adjudged him as someone under the absolute protection of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Araullo said that, “by being deprived of the basic necessities of life, Sison suffers the violation of his basic human right to life. Sison’s right to nonrefoulement under the Refugee Convention and his right to the absolute protection of Article 3 and entirety of the European Convention on Human Rights are put at risk and are actually being violated. He is practically being told and pressured to leave the Netherlands or else suffer starvation, illness and death in the absence of food, shelter and health insurance. Sison’s right to due process is violated as he is being punished so severely due to the false allegation of a heinous crime called terrorism. It is bad enough that the withdrawal of social benefits from him has upset his family budget and living conditions for more than ten months already.” 
“He is also being outrightly deprived of the right to private and family life as he has been ordered in one official notice to leave his house within three days and separate himself from his own wife and son. He is being driven to the streets and made an open target for those who want to do him harm. The act of listing Sison in his real name as a terrorist in official publications has the aim of demonizing, stigmatizing and isolating him from the Dutch and other communities. It has subjected him to a trial and conviction by publicity,” Araullo added. 
“This is not the first time that Sison has been subjected to false accusations and therefore to persecution by the Dutch authorities. The Philippine government as well as the US government supplied the Dutch government with so many false accusations against Sison in order to interfere in his asylum case and prevent the grant of asylum. To this day, there is no criminal charge filed against Sison by any government before any court. Definitely, there is no formal charge of terrorism against him before any court in the world. The charge of murder being belatedly fabricated against Sison in Manila is in flagrant violation of the Hernandez political offense doctrine in Philippine jurisprudence, which differentiates between political offenders and common criminals,” Araullo stressed. 
Araullo further said, “The terrorist label on Prof. Sison is likewise in violation of the Joint agreement of Safety and Immunity Guarantees and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) in the peace negotiations between the Manila government and the NDFP. How can Mr. Ople, in the name of the GRP, deny all these acts of persecution against Prof. Sison? Clearly, the track record of Mr. Ople as a loyal accomplice of repressive and puppet presidents during and after the US-backed Marcos dictatorship represents the record of governments he has served. Mr. Ople’s stance on the terrorist listing exposes the Arroyo administration’s political machinations to persecute Prof. Sison and to dampen, if not scuttle, the peace process.”  

Inconsistent

Further exposing the self-contradictory position of the GRP and its acts of bad faith, a similar statement from National Security Adviser Roilo Golez maintained that the government is “keeping its communication lines open for the possible resumption of peace talks with the NDFP” while stating that the government welcomed the tagging of the CPP-NPA as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by the US Department of State and the freezing of its assets.

Rep. Acosta stated that he himself wondered why on one hand, the government makes overtures and expresses initiatives for peace talks, but on the other hand, it welcomed the terrorist tag on the CPP-NPA and Prof. Sison. 

Rev. Sol Villalon, vice-chair of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) also asked, “How can the peace talks prosper when there is a malicious judgment against the other party? We believe it is incumbent upon the honorable men and women of the House to support our appeal for continuing GRP-NDFP peace talks and to disagree with the policy of terrorist labeling if it is to be a House of integrity and fairness. How can the GRP negotiate sincerely with the political forces it deems ‘foreign terrorists’ in accordance with the policies of the US?”

Ople mission

Moreover, Rep. Ocampo questioned Ople’s ‘diplomatic mission’ around Europe urging the European Union to tag Prof. Sison as a terrorist.  “It was not the duty of a foreign affairs secretary to make such a campaign,” Ocampo said.

Ocampo further said that he could not understand the logic of Ople whose government is supposed to enhance the peace negotiations with the NDFP yet urged European governments to tag the NDFP’s chief political consultant as a terrorist.

Araullo said Prof. Sison has challenged the labeling in several courts in Europe. 

On Aguinaldo assassination 

Rep. Roquito Ablan asked about NDFP’s statement commending the ‘murderers of former Cagayan Rep. Rodolfo Aguinaldo’ and if the NPA takes its directions from the NDFP.

Rep. Ocampo said that to his personal knowledge, the NPA does not take orders from the NDF. He explained that what was meted out was the justice system of a revolutionary government against a grave human rights violator. 

Aguinaldo was known to be one of the most rabid torturers and killers of anti-Marcos activists. 

In June 2002, the GRP panel cited the Aguinaldo slay as its reason to suspend the peace negotiations.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed murder charges against Prof. Sison for allegedly masterminding Aguinaldo’s assassination.  

Sub-committee

Rep. Lozada said there was no compromise solution to the issue.  Thus, he relegated House Resolution 850 to the sub-committee level.

However, Rep. Lozada also said that the DFA and the NSC would be consulted.

Pilgrims for Peace representatives at the hearing articulated well the importance of resumption of peace talks on the basis of The Hague Joint Declaration and other GRP-NDFP bilateral agreements. 

In view of such decision to relegate the resolution to the sub-committee level, questions are raised whether it meant brushing aside the cause of peace and human rights. Hence, amid various hurdles for the reopening of principled peace negotiations, convenors and all members of Pilgrims for Peace are ever more challenged to push forward the peace agenda.

PILGRIMS FOR PEACE HONOR 
BISHOP ANTONIO FORTICH

On July 14, 2003, Bishop Antonio Fortich was laid to rest at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod where around 20,000 parishioners from the dioceses of Bacolod, San Carlos and Kabankalan joined the requiem Mass celebrated by Bishop Vicente Navarra and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro. 

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also made an appearance at the burial rites. 

In his homily, Bishop Lagdameo said, “In his lifetime, Fortich was “good news” for a Church struggling to show it is a ‘Church of justice and peace, a Church of the Poor.’ We honor his legacy best and offer him the best award when we choose to continue his conviction.” 

In a message, Pope John Paul II also expressed sadness over Fortich’s death, recalling the bishop’s zealous ministry and his concern for the dignity and rights of the poor. 
  
On July 24, 2003, Manila-based friends, including convenors and members of Pilgrims for Peace, also honored Bishop Fortich through messages, songs and cultural presentations, and a concelebrated Mass led by Bishop Julio Labayen at the Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel, Makati City. 

In his tribute, Vice-Pres. Teofisto Guingona spoke a bit of Ilonggo as he recounted his conversations with Bishop Fortich at the height of grave military threats and harassment against the latter. All in all, the messages and personal stories shared by Fr. Baby Gordoncillo of Bacolod, Roy Manguiran (former chairman of the National Federation of Sugar Workers), Sr. Mary Grenough, MM (formerly assigned in Bacolod), Nanay Celing of the urban poor sector, the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF), KAIROS Philippines, Philippine-Misereor Partners, the human rights group KARAPATAN and others who offered tribute clearly drew a picture of Bishop Fortich as a Man of God, Man of Peace and Bishop of the Poor. 

Bishop Labayen, who was also present at the Bacolod rites, expressed his admiration for the late Bishop who was a fearless human rights activist and peace advocate. He lamented that many people who came from distant farms and haciendas were prevented by Pres. Arroyo’s security personnel from entering the cathedral. He was thankful that the time of burial was extended after the president left so the poor peasants were then able to bid farewell to their beloved bishop.      

“Dignity, justice and peace — these were the great ideals he lived and fought for. For his outstanding service to the struggling people, in fighting for their dignity, for social justice and an enduring peace based on justice, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) offers a warm salute and farewell to Bishop Fortich. May his exemplary life of service and his ideals live on in the hearts and minds of all who share his ideals,” the NDFP tribute to Bishop Fortich read.
La Verne Diwa Mercado
Peacemaker, Defender of the Marginalized and Downtrodden,
Servant of God, Peddler of Truth
Tribute to Bishop La Verne D. Mercado, 4 Dec 1922- 23 July 2003
General Secretary of NCCP 1974-1987

“It is impossible to over state the significance and legacy of Bishop La Verne’s life and ministry. Nor is it possible to summarize them in a short tribute to this giant of the ecumenical movement. I am sure when the Philippine ecumenical history is written historians will invoke all the well-known and time-tested laudatory phrases to capture how La Verne not only touched and perhaps even changed our lives for the better but also transformed the self-understanding of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Philippines so that it could be an agent of renewal in Philippine society.… (Victor Hsu, Senior Adviser of Church World Service, USA)

“My name is La Verne, a French word, meaning, the truth.  My family name is Mercado, a Spanish word for market.  La Verne Mercado therefore means peddler of truth. I am a peddler of truth.”

This was how La Verne usually introduced himself according to Bishop Solito Toquero of the United Methodist Church during the wake of the beloved former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP).

Yes, Bishop La Verne knows the truth of Jesus Christ, His Resurrection, His Life, His ministry.  He shared the life of Jesus to others; he tried his best to live it. Thus, many were saddened when the “Filipino Ecumenist Par Excellence” passed away.  

Bishop La Verne steered and guided the NCCP during the dark days of martial law. He took a firm stand against the Marcos dictatorship and was himself imprisoned in 1974. When he was released, he worked for the release of those imprisoned with him and of other political prisoners. He was often approached by families and relatives of the disappeared to help in locating their loved ones. 

Bishop La Verne was a Prophet of Peace.  It was during his time as NCCP General Secretary that he proposed the original NCCP Program for Peace. This action paved the way for the NCCP’s unrelenting pursuit for the peace negotiations between the government and the NDFP.

In 1983, when the opposition to the martial law was gaining grounds and the violation of human rights was mounting, Bishop La Verne was among the bishops who realized that there was a need for each other’s support in their pastoral tasks among the poor and the marginalized.  It was then that the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) was organized. In the EBF, Roman Catholic and Protestant bishops share their experiences and concerns in their pastoral tasks in every meeting.  Peace-building has been the EBF’s major concern.

His dedication to the downtrodden was also recognized by the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP):
“He showed that Churches should take a stand on the side of the oppressed and exploited, and join them in their struggle against injustice.”

Indeed, Bishop La Verne was also a well respected ecumenical leader in Asia and other parts of the world. The message from the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) attests to this: “with his death, both NCCP and CCA have surely lost one of the pillars of the ecumenical movement in the Philippines and in Asia.  One way of course to pay tribute to his life, service, and commitment is to continue to guide the course of the ecumenical ship of NCCP — especially in these trying times and over turbulent storms.”  
A moving message of condolence was also conveyed by the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Despite overwhelming praises and accolades, Bishop La Verne remained humble. When the NCCP bestowed an honor worthy of him during the General Convention in November 26, 1997, this is what he said: “I think I haven’t really done anything. I only tried my best to be of service to God, to the Church and to his people.”

The message from his colleagues at the NCCP best sums up what kind of person Bishop La Verne is:
He sought no power. By his commitment and service to the cause of peace and justice, he has manifested to us an enduring quality so badly missed in our days – servanthood with a lively countenance and good humor. His greatness lay in the fact of his unassuming leadership, of the nobility of his aspirations, of the clarity of his intentions, of the charity of his speech and of his faithfulness to the sanctity of life. 
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines, nay the ecumenical movement in the Philippines, is honored to have had the benefits of the greatness and service of Bishop Mercado.

La Verne we love you.  We praise God for your work in the ecumenical movement and your concern and support for the poor and marginalized people in this country.