Phil: Any Death or Killing Cannot be Ignored

 

ANY DEATH OR KILLING IS ONE TOO MUCH FOR US TO IGNORE!

 

 

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: 1). a haughty eyes, 2). a lying tongue, 3). HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD, 4). a heart that devises wicked plans, 5). feet that make haste to run to evil, 6). a false witness who breathes out lies; and 7). one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

 

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR?

We, the Marist Brothers of the Schools in the Philippines, who are committed to provide Christian education among the children and young people to form them into “good Christians and virtuous citizens” are compelled to prophetically speak out on the prevailing ethos in our country today.

 

As religious, committed to educational formation, we are greatly concerned about the deteriorating peace and order situation of our country. Peace and order are the first requisites of a functional and effective government. Unless we establish a peaceful and orderly society, we will not be able to develop and progress as a nation worthy of self-respect expected as a member of the international community.

 

Peace and order are functions of the active involvement of the governed, particularly the enlightened members, to make the government responsive and accountable. Lest, those who are given the authority and power to govern become abusive and callous to the real needs of the ordinary people.

 

As formators of social conscience, we share with other Catholic educational institutions the mission and vision to create a nation which respects the sanctity of life and human rights as these are foundations of any civilized society.

 

HOW IS OUR COUNTRY TODAY?

While the Philippines has sufficient natural, human and political resources to empower its people to be prosperous, healthy and dignified, however, our society is in a sad and precarious situation.

 

The apparent lack of peace and order in the land today are brought about by three major causes: a) the lack of a common and shared vision that will inspire, unify and consolidate the Filipino people as a nation; b) the systemic and structural inefficiency ofgovernment in the delivery of basic social services; 3) the culture of corruption among the unscrupulous political, economic and pseudo-religious leaders that fail to inflame the citizenry to work for the common good and social justice.

 

The communist rebellion fuelled by social inequities and inequalities brought about by the US-inspired neo-liberal capitalist economy; the Moro peoples’ desire for self-determination; the presence of violent extremist groups in the name of religion; the drug cartels and other crime syndicates give rise to crime incidence, narco-politics and police brutalities; exploitation of natural resources that brought about so much suffering to those whose lives are dependent on the land and sea; the dysfunctional political system that promote patronage rather than performance and merit; the inefficiency of government to collect the right taxes to finance government programs and projects; the congested, incoherent and wasteful educational system that do not produce enlightened and productive citizenry; the slow criminal justice system that forces people to take the law into their hands; the culture of corruption prevailing in the public, corporate and personal spheres of life - all these contribute to the worsening peace and order situation of our country today.

 

What we are experiencing now are just symptoms of these deeply rooted societal problems. Thus, we cannot simply point an accusing finger on anyone other than ourselves. We, too, are a part of this total dehumanization. We, too, share the burden of accountability. Our continued silence and inaction is a disservice to the nation.

 

The recent killing of the 17 year old Kian Loyd de los Santos, whatever the circumstances behind it, is “one too much” to be ignored. We cannot allow his death and the deaths of thousands before him pass and be part of cold statistics without reflecting and doing something about them. His life, his dreams and the dreams of his loved ones for him, his future, have been “killed” by the assassins’ bullets. What made it more appalling, his death was perpetrated by those who are sworn to uphold the law and “secure and protect” the helpless, the vulnerable and those who have less in life, the poor.

 

WHAT DO WE (DE)CRY?

We denounce the use of Extrajudicial Killings (EJKs) as the most expedient way to solve the peace and order problems. There can be no peace and order if we continue to kill fellow Filipinos! All summary executions have to be condemned and stopped! Those who have committed crimes must be arrested, prosecuted and punished according to due process. These continued killings have no place in a civilized society! This culture of death will only produce more wailing mothers, fathers and orphans! Summary killings will never ever make our communities safe and secure! Violence is a brain-child of those who oppress, who exploit, who refuse to recognize others as human persons! Violence begets more violence! Allowing the killers (State-sponsored or not) to wield their guns, oftentimes covered with bonnets, and freely roam around without being made responsible for their crimes are phantoms lurking in the night.

And no doubt, this state of impunity brought about by the blithe disregard of every human to life will leave a trans-generational trauma in our national consciousness.

In cognizance of the primacy of Abrahamic faith principle of the sanctity of the Right to Life, together with the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines, religious congregations and faiths, academic circles, human rights and peace networks, we therefore urge:

1. All the major branches of Philippine Government (Executive, Legislative and Judiciary) to adhere to the protocol laid down by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights of which the Philippines is a signatory;

2. the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigations to professionalize and cleanse their ranks of rogue elements;

3. the Media and journalists to be factual and impartial in reporting incidents of crime and abuses without fear or favor;

4. the citizenry to be proactively involved in preventing crimes and human rights abuses in their respective communities and report occurrences of the same to authorities;

5. the ethico-spiritual leaders to always speakTRUTH to power;

6. the academic community to continue to form our faculty and students consciences in the light of our cherished values as Filipinos.

7. the civil-society to link and partner with authentically democratic institutions, parties and social movements which can press for reforms in peace and security policies and programs;

8. the national and local leaders to refrain from using rhetorics of death, hate and violence, but instead promote a culture of peace, filial respect and solidarity. The most powerful and enduring forces in this world come in silent forces such as love, patience, knowledge, dialogue, reconciliation, etc;

9. those who are involved in the “demonic” acts such as production, proliferation and use of dangerous drugs; responsible for extra-judicial killings; acts of violent extremism and terrorism, extortions, abuse of women and children, kidnapping for ransom, robbery, bribery and corruption, exploitations, that they will have genuine conversion, for crime does not pay. Even if the long arms of the law are eluded, a final reckoning on the Judgment Day is beset to all of us.

10. all peace loving men and women of goodwill to earnestly PRAY FOR PEACE in our fragile land and let not the forces of darkness triumph by our inaction due to fear of reprisal.

 

WHAT DO WE COMMIT

As a positive and pro-active response to the prevailing national situation, we the Marist Brothers, commit to make our communities, schools and pastoral ministries as Centers of Peace. Let us all be reminded that the core of our apostolate is to educate the young minds and hearts. As such, these Peace Centers will be open as safe spaces which will, at all times, protect the rights and welfare of children and promote the well-being and dignity of the youth—their total integral development as human persons. Corollarily, we commit these sanctuaries of peace to serve as venues for collective reflections and of discernment in promoting the sacredness of life.

As the Sacred Scriptures say:

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

 

May the Blessed Mother keep us always in her maternal care and protection. Like Mary of Pieta, we share in the sufferings of the victims of violence specially the children and innocent young people. Together with their loved ones, we grieve and mourn for the loss of precious lives hoping that theirs will be the last in God’s own time.

 

Post Script: This STATEMENT is meant to invite more reflections of the Brothers and their Lay Mission Partners on the prevailing realities in our Philippine Society. It is only through communal discernment that we can be OBEDIENT to God’s Holy Will.

 

Signed:
1. Br. Lindley Sionosa, FMS – Vice-Provincial/Philippine Sector Coordinator
2. Br. Manuel V. de Leon, FMS – Kidapawan Community/Superiors’ Group Chairman
3. Br. Teodulo A. Fernandez, FMS – Cotabato Community
4. Br. Wilfredo Lubrico, FMS – Marbel Community
5. Br. Romulo Porras, FMS – Lagao Community
6. Br. Jose Torrecampo, FMS – Dadiangas Community
7. Br. Cristino Sta. Ana , FMS – Marikina Community
8. Br. Wenceslao Paterno, FMS – Jolo Community
9. Br. Rene Reyes, FMS – Buda Community
10. Br. Franklin Salcedo, FMS – Malutok Community, Palawan
11. Br. Danilo Sevilla, FMS – Our Lady of Fourviere Community, Dadiangas
12. Br. Ernie Sentina, FMS – Sacred Heart Community, Lagao

 

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