Showing posts with label human rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human rights. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
September 12, 2011
“TO SUFFER THY CHILDREN IS THE WORST CRIME” - Bishop laments killing of child in own home
Davao City --- “Is there no more safe place for children to live? Even in the confines of their own homes, they are threatened, worse, killed! To suffer thy children is among the worst crimes anyone could commit,” lamented Bishop Modesto Villasanta, convener of Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) amidst the current uproar created by the killing of Sunshine Jabinez, a 7-year-old girl from Sitio Biasong, Brgy. Napnapan, Pantukan, Compostela Valley.
Jabinez was laid to rest yesterday. The triggerman, Pfc. ____ Ramos, a member of the 71st Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shot Jabinez with a machine gun while going amok last September 2 from across the Jabinez residence.
“Military presence does not provide a good and safe atmosphere for our children and the civilians,” Villasanta said. The bishop urged the government to stop the military’s continued encampment in civilian – populated communities.
“Jabinez’s death sends out a strong message that the path the government and military is taking is not the way to peace. There can be no peace and development if children’s lives are at the risk, at the mercy of the military’s guns,” said Bp. Villasanta.
The bishop added, “The worsening human rights situation of children in our country indicates how far worse the rest of the people are faring at the wake of combat heavy military operations that target even civilian communities, including children’s schools, clinics, gyms and barangay halls. This is not the way to genuine peace!”
Bishop Villasanta is calling for the pursuit of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDFP) in order to address landlessness and poverty as root causes of the social injustice and the armed conflict.
“The GPH and the NDFP have signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) designed to respect human rights and international humanitarian law in the conduct of civil war. In this case, the government is obliged to uphold this agreement and mush assume responsibility over the child’s death caused by Oplan Bayanihan,” Bishop Villasanta said.#
Monday, September 12, 2011 0
Sunday, July 31, 2011
EJP is an alliance of the church leaders and religious, lawyers, academe, and other professionals committed to give flesh to the precepts of humanitarianism, promote respect for human rights and call for a just and lasting peace.
As shepherds of the flock we stand to be consistent with God’s call “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17
We believe that the call for justice is a call to incarcerate culprits. It is very disheartening to know that out the 1,206 victims of EJK during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, not one culprit was put into jail. And to note, the record of EJK continues in this present administration.
We further believe that the call to protect the sanctity of life is a call to end impunity. In this country, taking the side of the poor and the oppressed is a ticket to be tagged as rebels or worse, as terrorists therefore justifying to be included in the Order of Battle list of the State.
As citizens of this country, we challenge our leaders to take responsibility on giving justice for the victims and their bereaved families. We also challenge them to review and repeal the government policies that cultivate the culture of impunity.
We also call on to our fellow peace and justice advocates to remain watchful and valiant to take responsibility to be our brothers’ keepers.###
Protect the sanctity of life, end impunity now!
Press Statement
July 28, 2011
for reference:
Rev. Jurie Jaime
09198161876
Sunday, July 31, 2011 0
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Davao City - A bishop of the clergy-led peace group Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) expressed today his concern over the Army’s 10th Infantry Division for its malicious use of peace rhetoric over the Army’s continued military operations in the region.
“We view with concern how the military uses the terms “peace and development” to describe their combat-heavy operations. Six months after these supposedly “peace-driven” activities have started in our country, we have heard the cries of our people. Where is peace then?” said Bishop Delfin Callao, convenor of the group.
Bishop Callao said that an interfaith peace and solidarity mission is currently in Cateel, Davao Oriental to investigate the reported cases of military forces encamped in public places including schools and barangay gyms for military operations.
Quoting reports from human rights workers in the field, the AFP’s 10th ID forces are said to be deployed in towns and civilian communities of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. “We do not see these activities of the military as peace efforts but combat operations, detrimental to solving the roots of armed conflict,” Bishop Callao said.
“While we call on the government of the Philippines to pursue the peace talks by complying with the intent of their Joint Oslo Statement in September 21, 2011 to release political prisoners, we also call on the military to immediately stop the militarization of civilian communities,” Bishop Callao said.
“Under the tenets of the International Humanitarian Law, it is prohibited to use schools and other public places for military purposes,” Bishop Callao added.###
“We view with concern how the military uses the terms “peace and development” to describe their combat-heavy operations. Six months after these supposedly “peace-driven” activities have started in our country, we have heard the cries of our people. Where is peace then?” said Bishop Delfin Callao, convenor of the group.
Bishop Callao said that an interfaith peace and solidarity mission is currently in Cateel, Davao Oriental to investigate the reported cases of military forces encamped in public places including schools and barangay gyms for military operations.
Quoting reports from human rights workers in the field, the AFP’s 10th ID forces are said to be deployed in towns and civilian communities of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. “We do not see these activities of the military as peace efforts but combat operations, detrimental to solving the roots of armed conflict,” Bishop Callao said.
“While we call on the government of the Philippines to pursue the peace talks by complying with the intent of their Joint Oslo Statement in September 21, 2011 to release political prisoners, we also call on the military to immediately stop the militarization of civilian communities,” Bishop Callao said.
“Under the tenets of the International Humanitarian Law, it is prohibited to use schools and other public places for military purposes,” Bishop Callao added.###
PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 0
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