World Alliance of Reformed Churches News Release 20 July 2006
ALLIANCE OFFERS SOLIDARITY TO FILIPINO CHURCH
The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) took a message of support and solidarity to the United Church of Christ in the Philippines on 17 July concerning the recent murder of church activists, including four pastors.
Seong-Won Park, executive secretary of the Covenanting for Justice Project of WARC, met with Ephraim V. Guerrero, executive secretary of the Filipino church, at the general assembly offices in Manila. The United Church of Christ in the Philippines is a WARC member church.
"I expressed the deep sorrow of the WARC family and offered the support of WARC and its member churches. The United Church of Christ in the Philippine s needs the prayers and solidarity of the WARC family at this time," Park said following the meeting.
Guerrero said the current period of violence in the Philippines is worse than it was under the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and he linked the killing of justice activists to the role played by the military in Filipino politics and the government's so-called pre-emptive response to alleged terrorists.
He also expressed concern over the U.S. military presence in the Zamboanga and Basilan regions of the Philippines where he said they are helping secure access to the rich mineral resources on behalf of multinational corporations.
WARC wrote to the United Church of Christ in the Philippines on 28 June expressing its concern over the killings. "The World Alliance of Reformed Churches continues to be concerned about the spate of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines - some of which have been felt directly in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines," said general secretary Setri Nyomi.
In addition to Park's visit two WARC representatives, Patricia Sheerattan-B isnauth and Omega Bula, visited the family of Noel (Noli) Capulong, a church activist who was gunned down on 27 May.
The church also received support from a group of Reformed leaders from Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa meeting in Manila 12-16 July who were investigating how to carry out mission in a new age of empire.
"We are shocked and dismayed by the news that at least 690 people have died as a result of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines - men and women, diverse activists, journalists and organizers throughout the Filipino communities.
"Of particular concern are our sister and brother church workers who have been slain by death squads that seem connected to powerful economic, military and political interests in the country. Eighteen church people have been murdered in the past two years, 15 of these working for the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.
"All of these were innocent, guilty of nothing save their resolve to be faithful in securing justice and fullness of life for the disenfranchised and repressed communities of their nation."
The statement expressed gratitude for the sacrifice of the church activists and called for an end to the violence and for a time of truth telling that would identify the killers so that a period of healing can begin in the country.
"We are strengthened in our resolve to resist the global empire's brutal political economy of poverty, repression, torture and assassination suffered by activists for justice and peace. We remain inspired today by the struggle waged and sacrifice made by these faithful church workers."
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The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) brings together 75 million Reformed Christians in 218 churches in 107 countries - united in their commitment to making a difference in a troubled world. The WARC general secretary is Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. WARC's secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Contact: John P. Asling Executive Secretary, Communications World Alliance of Reformed Churches 150 Route de Ferney P.O. Box 2100 1211 Geneva, Switzerland tel. +41.22 791 6243 fax: +41.22 791 6505 web: www.warc.ch