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'Stop the killing' in Philippines, United Methodists say

Jan. 6, 2006

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.

By Larry Hollon*

MANILA, Philippines (UMNS) - A United Methodist delegation on human
rights in the Philippines called upon President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
to take a more aggressive role to stop the killing of clergy, laity,
journalists and human rights workers who work with the poor.

Noting that "extrajudicial" murders had increased in the past year in
the country, Bishop John Hopkins, head of the delegation, told a Jan. 6
news conference in Manila, "The killing must stop."

Hopkins said the delegation heard deeply moving first-hand testimony
from more than 20 victims and surviving family members from many parts
of the Philippines, who described the pain and suffering exacted through
murders targeting religious and community workers.

"Our people are not armed," said the bishop, who leads the
denomination's Ohio East Area. "They teach, provide medical care,
counsel and educate. We implore the government and military officials to
recognize the important work of those who seek to minister with the poor
and marginalized, and to distinguish their work as vital and important
to the country and its people."

In hearings with victims, the delegation was told such work is often
called "subversive," and individuals engaged in human rights education
are falsely accused of supporting terrorism or holding membership in
political groups advocating violent resistance to the Arroyo
administration.

In an extended visit with Scott Douglas Bellard, acting deputy chief of
mission at the U.S. embassy, the delegation sought the assistance of
U.S. officials to press the Philippine government to distinguish between
armed terrorists and church and community workers who are conducting
their work peacefully.

Bellard is the highest-ranking U.S. official in the embassy.  A
nomination to fill the vacant post of ambassador to the Philippines was
made while the delegation was en route to Manila.

Similarly, the delegation met with Maria Isabel Gonzales-Tobias,
undersecretary for religious affairs of the Philippine government, and
with several high-ranking members of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines.

Delegation members pressed for an end to the adverse labeling of human
rights activists and religious workers.  Military officials denied that
lists known as "order of battle" exist at the national level, but
conceded that commanders in local assignments might identify "known
troublemakers."

Kristina Gonzalez, a member of the delegation and of the church's
coordinating council known as the Connectional Table, told the news
conference the security of the nation is being "inversely affected by
its lack of commitment to human rights."

"The more the government secures the rights of the people, the more
secure the whole nation will be," she said. "Similarly, when human
rights are violated, the country is less secure."

Jim Winkler, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and
Society, reported that witnesses and survivors told the delegation of
armed military personnel in full body armor appearing in neighborhoods
and asking the whereabouts of clergy and other workers. Those people
then disappear or are found murdered. "We heard patterns of systematic
extrajudicial killing," he said.

He recalled other accounts of false public accusations against
individuals who began to receive notes with death threats slipped under
their doors, sent via text messages or through telephone calls. One
priest reported a note threatening his death - accompanied by bullets -
being placed in the offering plate of his parish during Sunday worship
services.

Several families told of armed men, on motorcycles and wearing ski masks
and helmets, ambushing individuals and killing them. The motorcycles
lack license tags or carry counterfeit tags, making them untraceable.

The Rev. Larry Pickens, chief executive of the United Methodist
Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Affairs and a lawyer,
said even those accused of crime must be assured proper legal rights,
including the right to face their accusers and to present evidence in
their own defense.

Bishop Solito K. Toquero, resident bishop of the Manila Area, noted that
the high-level delegation of United Methodist leaders is the second
international church group to visit the country and to express deep
concern regarding worsening human rights, especially the killings of
activists and church workers. Toquero has been rumored to be among those
targeted.

The delegation called for Arroyo to take the following actions:

"	Begin an immediate and impartial investigation of all recent
extrajudicial executions.
"	Make a commitment not to impose martial rule or other
limitations on civil liberties or human rights.
"	Revise the government's military strategy for resolving the
insurgency to ensure the safety of noncombatants and to avoid
indiscriminate destruction of property.

"	Cease the practice by the government and military of labeling
those who work for justice and for the poor as subversive or communist.

"	Conduct follow-up meetings with the three bishops of the United
Methodist Church in the Philippines, including mission partners in other
communions, to discuss progress on the investigations.

The delegation was invited to the Philippines by United Methodist
leaders in the country.

Delegation members expressed solidarity with the church in the
Philippines and stated support for "courageous ministry with the poor
and marginalized."

Other delegation members included the Rev. R. Randy Day, chief
executive, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries; the Rev. Larry
Hollon, chief executive, United Methodist Communications; the Rev.
Liberato Bautista, a Board of Church and Society executive; Ascencion
"Inday" Day, executive director, National Federation of Asian-American
United Methodists; and the Rev. Ruby-Nell Estrella, superintendent,
Northwest Manila District in the Philippines.

*Hollon is chief executive of United Methodist Communications.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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