Walk the Path of Peace, Work for Justice

It is to peace that God has called us. (1 Corinthians 7.15)

We, the 10th Executive Commission of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, express our alarm over the arrest and detention of Professor Jose Maria Sison, the political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDFP.

We see his arrest by the Dutch authorities, with the collaboration of the Philippine government, not only as a wanton violation of the rights of Professor Sison as a political refugee protected under Dutch laws and international human rights laws, but as blatant act of
political persecution. It saddens us that The Netherlands’ commitment for the protection and promotion of human rights, and its long and noble tradition of granting sanctuary to political dissenters, have been abandoned by this single inhuman act.

We are deeply disturbed over the implications of the Dutch authorities’ action against Professor Sison. The Iglesia Filipina Independiente believes that it is important to keep the doors open for dialogue between the GRP and NDFP to address the roots of the armed conflict in the country. This is why we have been consistently calling for the GRP and NDFP to return to the negotiating table and resume the formal peace talks.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente shares with the Filipino people the hope that peace is indeed possible. We invite the Dutch Government to share this hope with us by respecting the peace process in the Philippines and by continuously upholding the rights of Professor Jose Maria Sison as a political refugee in The Netherlands. He is an important figure in the peace process in the Philippines. His arrest and
continuing detention constitutes a major roadblock to the peace process and could spell the eventual demise of the peace negotiations between the GRP and NDFP.

We call on the government of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo likewise to desist in further acts that would undermine, if not completely destroy the peace negotiations and other efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the armed conflicts. Furthermore, we urge the Arroyo government to stop using coercive measures under the guise of the ‘war on terror’ as a leverage to force the NDFP, among others, into capitulation.

We urge Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo not to undermine the Filipino people’s aspiration for justice and peace with her penchant for a military solution to the armed conflict in the country. We demand her government to pursue the peace process. We strongly call upon her to serve the people in righteousness, as the path to peace can only be found in the steadfast commitment to justice.

For the Executive Commission,


† THE RT REVD EPHRAIM S. FAJUTAGANA
General Secretary


† MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Supreme Bishop

5th September 2007
City of Manila

Defend Life And Liberty, Vanquish Terror

Because the poor are oppressed, I will now rise up, says the Lord;
I will place them in the safety from which they long’. (Psalms 12.5)

The Psalmist bears out that God knows of the oppression of the poor. When wickedness abounds, and is countenanced by those in authority, the people can rely upon God for the redress of their grievances. We firmly believe that God struggles with the oppressed for their emancipation; and he journeys along with the people in the path towards abundant life. Certainly, God’s justice will punish those who rule with tyranny and terror.

We strongly anchor our hearts to this hope as the heavy yoke of oppression is again being imposed upon the Filipino people with the enforcement of Republic Act Number 9372, otherwise known as the Human Security Act of 2007. This is a state policy crafted by the Arroyo regime to purportedly fight terrorism and protect our people from terror. We believe, though, that this anti-terror law poses more frightening consequences rather than offering solutions to the situation it seeks to address.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente believes that the Human Security Act of 2007 would only exacerbate human rights violations in the country and the incessant onslaught on civil liberties and democratic rights. This anti-terror law provides the police and the military more latitude for surveillance, warrantless and arbitrary arrests, abductions, and illegal detention of individuals who are suspected to be opposed to the government. It can also be used to label any form of speech, expression and redress of grievances, as well as legitimate protests actions, peaceful assemblies and lawful dissent, as acts of terrorism.

Given the current situation where there is a fanatical persecution of individuals, organizations, and institutions deemed critical of the government, unabated extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances attributed to the military, the enforcement of the anti-terror law would certainly lead to state repression and provide a license for the military to crackdown on legitimate activists and critics of the government.

We are opposed to the Human Security Act of 2007 as it would trample upon human dignity, and prohibits individuals from exercising their inherent rights as social beings. We are opposed to the Human Security Act of 2007, as it would restrict the people from responsibly assuming their social and political duties on the basis of their moral conviction. The Human Security Act of 2007 makes an outright mockery to the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution. It is a blatant assault to our constitutional rights and sovereignty as a people.

We strongly assert that the government, or the military, does not have the legal authority and moral right to suppress the people and restrain them from exercising their inherent right as citizens of the country. To do otherwise is illegal and immoral, or more aptly, terroristic. The Human Security Act of 2007, in essence, is a malevolent embodiment of an extremely anti-people policy that provides a tool of terror in the hands of a virtual military state.

In the light of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ tagging of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente as ‘enemy of the state’ and being put in the list of entities that are in the ‘echelon of alliances with the communist party’, we are concerned for the safety of our bishops, priests, lay workers and members who are engaged in social actions and prophetic witness. With the still unsolved killing of Bishop Alberto Ramento and Father William Tadena, and where a number of our priests have to endure harassment and live under the constant threat of death, we fear that the worst attack on our Church is yet to come with this government’s anti-terror law.

We believe very strongly that under the sleeves of the Human Security Act of 2007 is a scheme meant to provide the bases for charging revolutionary groups as terrorists and to go after revolutionary forces on a full-scale war in the guise of a war on terror. We fear that a military state will not hesitate to turn this measure into an instrument that would sabotage the long years of the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

This probable scenario unveils, all the more, the evil face of the anti-terror law. It runs contrary to the aspiration of the Filipino people for the resolution of the armed conflict and the establishment of just peace in the country. It only allows a military state to unleash its vicious attack with impunity upon advocates of national democracy, pro-people social and political reforms, and equitable economic progress. It can never provide solution to the widespread poverty bred by corruption, social unrest resulting from irresponsible governance, and armed conflict that stems from an oppressive and exploitative rule of the powerful and the mighty.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente, therefore, strongly exhorts President Arroyo to work for the immediate repeal of the Human Security Act of 2007 in the spirit of truly protecting our people from terror. The people have no need for this tyrannical scheme. What they demand is for the government to safeguard their democratic rights as a people, to uphold their civil and political rights as citizens of the country, and to protect their freedom to express themselves without fear of persecution.
We also urge the faithful and the rest of the Filipino people to remain vigilant, stand firmly and courageously against terrorism in all its many guises, and much more if it manifests in the form state repression. Enshrined in our very soul as a nation is our inherent right to freedom, and it is our solemn duty as a people to protect and preserve this legacy. Let us persevere in our journey towards just peace, democracy and sovereignty as a people and a nation.


† MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Supreme Bishop

12 July 2007
City of Manila

Save Our Land From Plunder: Exercise And Safeguard Our Right To Vote

‘Destruction upon destruction is cried, for the whole land is plundered.’ (Jer 4.20)

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente constantly and consistently stands by the Filipino people in their aspiration to establish a government that would genuinely uphold their interest and promote the common good.

The forthcoming May 2007 elections will enable the people to assert their share in the building of a more humane society by exercising and safeguarding their right to vote. We believe that through responsible and informed participation, the electoral exercise can be transformed into an effective vehicle that serves and advances their legitimate interest by choosing the right candidates into the high offices of the government.

We call on the faithful and the voting populace to judiciously exercise our God-given right to vote and dutifully participate in the forthcoming election in prayerful discernment of what would serve best the welfare of our people and country. Let us participate in the elections as responsible citizens of the country, always vigilant against those who might try to influence our choices through unlawful and deceitful means. Let us support candidates and political parties on the merit of their platforms and positions on current issues and not on glistening trappings and entertaining political advertisements.

We must ensure that the forthcoming elections would install leaders who will truly uphold public interest and promote people’s well being. Let us choose the candidates who consistently live out democratic political principles characterized by a real sense of social responsibility and awareness that real power rests in the hands of the people.

We therefore urge the Filipino people, especially the faithful of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, to examine candidates and political parties and make their decision based upon the seven-fold considerations.

• National Sovereignty. A candidate must be an advocate of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and does not support foreign domination and intervention in the country.
• National Economy and Patrimony. A candidate must be opposed to full liberalization, deregulation, privatization and other globalization policies that place our local agriculture and industries into unfair competition with big foreign monopolies.
• Peasants and Workers Issues. A candidate must be an advocate of genuine land reform, and supports the poor workers’ struggle for just and decent wages and job security.
• Good Governance. A candidate must have a clean record of public service, steadfastly fights against graft and corruption in government, and committed to eradicate the culture of impunity.
• Justice and Peace. A candidate must be an advocate of the peaceful resolution of conflicts with the National Democratic Front of the Philippine (NDFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and oppose to any form of aggressive war and violation of human rights.
• Human Rights. A candidate must be a staunch advocate of civil and democratic rights, respects political differences, and denounces, opposes and puts to stop political persecution and extrajudicial killings in the country.
• Women and Children Rights. A candidate must promote gender equality, protect the reproductive rights of women, work against patriarchal exploitation women, and uphold the rights of children to education, home and nationality.
  Lastly, let us remind ourselves that it is our duty as a people and a nation to actively engage in the forthcoming electoral exercise and continue to work for peace, justice and good governance before, during, and beyond the May 2007 elections.

Lastly, let us remind ourselves that it is our duty as a people and a nation to actively engage in the forthcoming electoral exercise and continue to work for peace, justice and good governance before, during, and beyond the May 2007 elections.

† MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Supreme Bishop

07 March 2007
City of Manila

Resist Tyranny, Defend Our Democratic Rights As A People

‘Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.’ -Philippians 2.3

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente is expressing her strongest opposition to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution through a Constituent Assembly. The move to transform the House of Representatives into a Constituent Assembly to effect the changing of the laws of the land lays bare the deprivation of true statesmanship and the absence of political ethics among those who claim to represent our people. It is a glaring display of opportunism among members of Congress who are seeking to prolong and perpetuate their hold on to power. Their self-serving initiative draws questions regarding their moral competence to make the right decision for the country.

Clearly, what now transpires before our eyes testifies to the obdurate desire of Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her political allies to abolish the present presidential system and put up a unicameral parliament without observing the principles of democracy, which is a fundamental right that is guaranteed by the Constitution. It is a frightening indication of tyrannical rule. This is morally wrong. We must not allow tyranny to usurp our democratic rights.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente reiterates, in the strongest possible terms, her opposition to Charter Change through a Constituent Assembly. The unprecedented problems we are facing today as a nation cannot be simply attributed to the perceived defects in the Constitution as Malacañang wants us to believe.

They are the outcome of irresponsible governance by leaders whom the people perceive to be with questionable authority, credibility and integrity, as well as the centuries old structures that promote and protect the country’s tiny elite at the expense of the huge majority.

The conversion of Congress into a Constituent Assembly by congressmen themselves exhibits a blatant disrespect of the Constitution and disregard to the legitimate interest of our people. It tramples upon our inherent rights as a people to participate in a political process that charts the fate of our nation.

We therefore assert our stand -- a resounding NO TO CHARTER CHANGE THROUGH A CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY - while we commit our continuing support to our people’s aspiration to establish a truly democratic government where their interests are truly heard and served.

Pro Deo et Patria,

† MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Obispo Maximo

7th December 2006
City of Manila

When Prophets are Silenced

‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s own life for one’s friends.’ - John 15. 13

We, Bishops of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, join our hearts in prayers as we humbly offer to the God of Justice, Truth and Peace, the life of our brother, Alberto B. Ramento.

The Church mourns the violent death of her son, a man of God who selflessly dedicated his life loving his neighbor and serving the people. However, the greatest testimony to the life of Bishop Ramento is found in his death.

Known as the ‘Bishop of the Poor Peasants and Workers’, Bishop Ramento embodied the spirituality of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, a spirituality that celebrates the patriotic and democratic aspirations of the Filipino people and testifies to her faith and hope in Christ.

We are convinced that his murder was the consequence of his principled engagement with the Filipino people’s struggle for the fullness of life. The Church is strongly convinced that his brutal death is part of the worsening cases of extra-judicial killings in the country. We condemn this act of terror perpetrated against a man of the cloth murdered within the sanctuary of his own Church. We condemn militarization and make a stand against this attack on church people.

We lament over the grievous attempts to mislead the people into believing that Bishop Ramento’s murder is but a case of ‘simple robbery with homicide.’ We express our concern over the Philippine National Police (PNP) making a hasty conclusion of the case and have the impression that the police is being coerced to protect the powerful people who are behind Bishop Ramento’s death.

Not long ago, the AFP maliciously named the Iglesia Filipina Independiente among the list of organizations and institutions to be in the ‘echelon of alliances with the Communist Party of the Philippines’ and are ‘enemies of the state’ that needed to be ‘neutralized’.

Hence, we have strong reasons to believe that what befell our brother bishop, as well as the countless unresolved political killings, the blatant attacks on democratic rights and civil liberties, as well as the continuing harassment of our other bishops and priests, is not without the knowledge of the GMA government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). We reiterate our call for the GMA government to stop the extra-judicial killings and bring to an end these atrocities committed against the people.

We strongly call for the creation of an independent multi-sectoral investigating body to probe into the situation of human rights violations in the Philippines, including the case of Bishop Ramento’s brutal murder with the purpose of bringing the perpetrators into justice.

We also call on the faithful and the people to denounce the escalation of political repression and extra-judicial killings in the country, to remain vigilant against state terrorism, and to defend our democratic rights as citizens of the country.

We pray for strength to withstand these acts of aggressions and assaults committed against our bishops and priests. We continue to entrust ourselves to the Spirit to help us hold on to our hope in Jesus Christ and steadfastly proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom even before the face of death.

Lastly, we pray to God that the death of Alberto, our brother bishop, a martyr for peace, will not be in vain but give courage to the people to continue struggle for justice and peace in the world.

JUSTICE FOR BISHOP ALBERTO B. RAMENTO,

JUSTICE FOR ALL VICTIMS OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS

Pro Deo et Patria,

† MOST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Obispo Maximo

12th October 2006
City of Manila

A Statement Of The Iglesia Filipina Independiente On The Brutal Killing Of The Most Reverend Alberto B. Ramento, The Ninth IFI Obispo Maximo

“I Know They Are Going To Kill Me Next But Never Will I Abandon My Duty To God And My Ministry To The People”

(A statement of Bishop Alberto B. Ramento to his family)

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) has once again made a precious offering in the continuing task of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the brutal killing of the Most Reverend Alberto B. Ramento, the 9th Obispo Maximo of the Church.

The good bishop was slain by faceless assassins who broke through the rectory where he was staying at around four o’clock in the morning of October 03, 2006 in the Parish of San Sebastian, Tarlac City. He was awakened in his sleep when the assassins had entered his room and stabbed him seven times to death. We denounced in the strongest possible terms this barbaric and dastardly act against a man of the cloth within the premises of his own church.

Initial police investigation reports point to the incident as a mere case of robbery with homicide. However, the Ramento family, the clergy and the faithful of the Diocese of Tarlac believe that the motive is much deeper than what has come out from the spot investigation. There are glaring indications that Bishop Ramento’s murder was thoroughly planned and politically motivated. We believe that the brutal killing was the inevitable consequence of his principled engagement with the people and their struggle for the fullness of life.

Bishop Ramento, aside from being a well-loved pastor by his clergy and faithful, has earned the reputation as a social prophet, and an icon in the nationalist struggle of the Filipino masses with his uncompromising stand for national sovereignty and patrimony. He was a true advocate of just peace. As a matter of fact, Bishop Ramento is part of the Monitoring Group in the Peace Talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front Philippines.

He was a known figure in the ecumenical movement in and outside the country. Bishop Ramento has served as the Chairperson of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. He was also a Co-Chairperson of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) which is composed of bishops from the various Churches in the Philippines.

Bishop Ramento, as the Chairman of the IFI Supreme Council of Bishops (SCB), has strongly condemned the state of political repression and grave situation of human rights violation in the country. He has particularly denounced the unabated extra judicial killings of militant leaders, social activists, lawyers, journalists, church people and innocent civilians under the watch of the current administration. As an outspoken critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he has consistently questioned the legitimacy of her presidency, and urged her to step down from office. In the last pastoral letter he signed as SCB Chairman, Bishop Ramento has urged the faithful “to find courage and confront the darkness that is engulfing the very soul of the nation and continue to thread the path towards the establishment of a just society under a government that genuinely serves the interest and welfare of the Filipinos.”

Honored as the “Bishop of the Poor Peasants and Workers”, Bishop Ramento has earned the love and respect of the farm workers at Hacienda Luisita, a vast sugar plantation in Tarlac, as he rallied support to their cause and advocated for their struggle.

The people behind his death might think that they have silenced him and maimed the prophetic voice of the Church. They are mistaken. His death has become like a candle in a burning incense, sparking more fire, enflaming the hearts of the clergy and faithful of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente to remain faithful to her pro-people and pro-labor heritage. Indeed, we grieved over his death, yet we celebrate his life.

They may have taken his life by opening his body with wounds – but these wounds have become the doorway from which Bishop Ramento’s valiant spirit has been poured out and shared to many.

Truly, the death of Bishop Alberto B. Ramento is a great loss not only for the Iglesia Filipina Independiente but also for the ecumenical movement and peoples’ organizations. The Iglesia Filipina Independiente strongly urges the authorities to immediately conduct a thorough and impartial investigation on the murder of Bishop Ramento and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.

We ask the prayers of the faithful for Bishop Alberto B. Ramento, a fatherly pastor, a social prophet, an uncompromising nationalist, a peacemaker, and a champion of the peoples’ cause, who now joins his Creator. As we mourn the death of a beloved member of the IFI family, may we find inspiration from his life and death even as we commit to stand firmly for what he believed in and fought for. Let his death find meaning in our continuing resolve to live-out the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ upon which Bishop Ramento dedicated his life.

Pro Deo et Patria,

† THE MOST REVEREND GODOFREDO J. DAVID
11th Obispo Maximo

04th October 2006
City of Manila

Render What Is Right And Just To The Filipino People

An Open Letter of the Executive Commission of the Iglesia Filipina to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

‘They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake… ...’ ((Luke 21. 12)

A year ago, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente brought before you, Madam President, our apprehension and indignation over the worsening situation of human rights violations under your watch. We have urged you to look into the spate of political killings of leaders of the legitimate political opposition, militant activists, media practitioners and human rights lawyers, human rights advocates in the country and the intimidation of church people specially bishops, priests and church workers. We have strongly appealed to you to probe the allegations pointing to elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the perpetuators of this hounding and merciless butchery.

No words can express our frustration when you treated our appeal with cold shoulders. We have expected you to extend a helping hand to the families of victims of political killings and repression, but we waited in vain. It pierced deep into our very souls to realize that your heart does not hold affection for people who suffer from the violence of injustice. The way you have simply closed your eye to the unabated series of summary executions and abductions in the country is morally lamentable. Your manifest disregard to the rampant violation of civil liberties and the democratic rights of our people is second to none.

‘In her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all who have been slaughtered...’ (Revelation 18. 24)

We watched with pain and indignation the continuing violent persecution of church people that, by now, has resulted to the death of twenty-four priests, pastors and church workers from different Churches even as political slaughter goes unabated and the victims of extra-judicial killings swell up day after day. The international community can only be right when it stressed your apathy to address these grave issues of human rights violations in the country.

Perhaps, the people are right when they say these realities do not bother you at all because it is really you who benefit from the abductions, assassinations and coercion of individuals who are openly critical and opposed to your administration. Maybe, the people are right in believing that the military is behind these political killings to terrorize those who question the legitimacy of your office, bureaucratic corruption and the death of democratic processes under your government.

‘What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.’ (Genesis 4.10)

Our conscience obliges us to speak to you in truth, Madam President. The blood of those who were innocently killed cries from the ground. The signs of the times are urging us to stand and speak up lest darkness overcomes what is right and just. Do not blame us if we dare say that we have already lost confidence in you to bring to an end the worsening situations of political killings and violent repression of our people, in as much as we believe that it is to the cause of justice and peace and for the good of the nation that you should voluntarily step down from office in the most immediate time. We ask you this sacrifice knowing that you too believe that the Filipino people deserve a president and government that would genuinely promote their welfare and well-being and uphold their interests as citizens of this our beloved land.

Our prayers go with you, Madam President, as we ask you to reflect in the light of our Christian faith and find the courage in your heart to render what is right and just to the Filipino people. Only then can you regain our trust and the respect of our people.

† THE M0ST REVD GODOFREDO J. DAVID
Obispo Maximo

7th September 2006
City of Manila