Convocation addresses human rights in Philippines
Aug. 2, 2007
NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.
By John Coleman*
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (UMNS) - The National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists has approved a resolution urging the U.S. government to condition continued foreign aid to the Philippines based on that country's compliance in addressing growing concerns about human rights abuses.
A human rights monitoring agency in the Philippines has documented 869 deaths and 180 enforced disappearances, mostly of social activists, including many religious leaders critical of government policies. A major complaint has been the refusal of the government to investigate the alleged extrajudicial killings and disappearances.
Members heard reports and resolutions on the human rights abuses from U.S. church leaders and guests from the Philippines during the association's 11th biennial convocation, July 15-19.
Sharon Ruiz-Duremdes, top staff executive of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and United Methodist Bishop Solito Toquero of the Manila Episcopal Area outlined the human rights crisis for participants.
They reported that a summit meeting has been called by Philippines Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, a United Methodist lay leader, to explore the matter. The association has assisted the United Methodist Board of Church and Society in drafting a resolution to the 2008 General Conference.
"The U.S. must exercise its influence on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to stop these extrajudicial killings now," the bishop said.
Additional concerns
Other U.S. human rights matters discussed in the gathering included a bill in Congress to ensure equity for Filipino veterans who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The Filipino Veterans Equity Act (HR 760 and S 1718) would restore full and equal veteran status to the Filipino veterans by amending the Rescission Act of 1946, which stripped Filipino soldiers of U.S. veterans' status. A resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass this measure was unanimously approved.
Meeting attendees also embraced a resolution approved by the East Ohio Annual Conference calling for extension of benefits to Amerasian children of U.S. soldiers in the Philippines and Japan. Amerasians are children of U.S. military personnel living in a host Asian country.
In addition, using the theme "Ride the Wave, Harness the Power," the association members focused on their NAFAUM Paglago National Plan, a congregational development and revitalization program that includes an endowment campaign.
"Paglago" is a Filipino horticultural word meaning "luxuriant growth." The National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists' mission is to build and revitalize 30 Filipino-American congregations by 2013, the centennial celebration of Filipino Methodism in the United States.
"As a strategy, NAFAUM has entered into partnerships with boards and agencies to implement the Paglago National Plan approved in 2003," outgoing President Pong Javier said in his presidential address, noting the organization's contribution to The United Methodist Church's emphasis on church growth.
The convocation brought together more than 100 delegates from the United States, Philippines, Saipan and Nepal.
The Rev. Alejandro Vergara, pastor of the Kapolei Mission in Hawaii in the California-Pacific Conference, was chosen president of the association for 2007-2009. Laywoman Ruby Bago of California-Nevada Conference is the new vice president.
*Coleman is director of communications for the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org
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