The Mindanao region is rich in natural resources and is a potential for the interest of foreign investors on mining industries and plantation of high value crops to feed profit-hungry multi-nationals. Thus militarization is rampant in the countryside and even the cities to give way to what the government calls development but in effect is an aggression to the populace which resulted to extrajudicial killings and abductions of peasant leaders, militant leaders, media practitioners, including church peoples.
Also, Massive Land Conversion affects the vast majority of the poor farmers and the urban poor communities in the cities. The political leadership is in the hands of the few elite, the landlords who enjoy the blessing of Malacanang.
Also, Mindanao has revolutionary movements like the CPP-NPA-NDF and the MILF that has long been in struggle for the emancipation of Filipino people and the self determination. These groups are currently in peace negotiations with the GRP.
In the guise of running after the so called terrorists and bandit groups in Mindanao, the GMA-regime prioritised the passage of the Anti-Terror Law dubbed as the Human security Act of 2007. We believe that this law will not in any way be a solution to the Mindanao problems but rather surely aggravate the already rotten political and economic situation.
The Human Security Act (HSA) is based on the notion that "the State must be held above all else. The State must wield absolute power, using everything to control the territory and population of a country. It must protect itself at all costs even at the cost of its own citizens. Thus, anything and anyone, that threatens national interests in the eyes of the present dispensation is deemed as a foe, a terrorist, an enemy of the state.” (NCCP statement)
This law however not only violates the 1987 Constitution but suffers from what is called a ‘fatal contextual infirmity.’ The law which completely tramples on the entire Bill of Rights is also a tool that is expected to be used by the government for the political persecution of legitimate dissenters and political opponents. This concern is certainly with basis considering the government’s track record of disregarding the rule of law, institutions, e.g. PP1017 and E.O. 464 and by allowing allies to go scot-free from the law.
"With the HSA, the State has set itself up as the absolute power that determines what course people's lives will take by putting forward a very vague definition of terrorism. By so doing, the State has usurped the functions that rightfully belong to God. By playing God, the State commits the highest form of sacrilege.”
“The Human Security Act will surely result in many human rights violations as its provisions curtail basic freedoms that run counter to our Constitution; it basically presumes guilt unless proven innocent; it purportedly protects the interests of the state, and hence the people, from terrorists but it actually legitimizes terrorism – state terrorism. It demands full obedience and subservience from its constituents. We must recall why Jesus was crucified, why heroes and heroines died and why many human rights defenders today are being silenced. That is because they would not toe the political line of the powers and principalities. And because they refuse to be subservient, they are labelled as "subversives". The State must rid its territory of subversives or terrorists.”
The Human Security Act is a travesty against the sacred tenet of freedom that God bestowed on His people. Thus, to accept the Human Security Act is to defy the will of God. For us this law has contextual infirmities and is prone to abuse by repressive government authorities.
Thus, we strongly call on our law makers in the 14th Congress to outrightly repeal Republic Act 9372 and the Supreme Court to declare the same as unconstitutional.
As church people, we commit ourselves to educate, organize alliances and mobilize the faithful to be vigilant and effectively exercise our moral, prophetic and social ministries.
Thus we shall particularly do the following:
On Education:
In our dioceses, jurisdictions, conferences, deaneries and vicariates, parishes, local churches, and congregations we shall conduct fora, symposia, consultations, inter-faith and ecumenical dialogues for the faithful and the populace to comprehend the evil effects of the HSA to the Filipino people.
On Alliances and Networking:
We shall initiate and build strong alliances with other faiths and sectors which are also working for peace, justice and genuine development responsive to the people’s aspiration. Particularly, we shall spearhead a Church People’s Movement against HSA.
On Mobilization:
The Church people are not spared from the demonic acts of the state as evidenced by the 26 victims of extra-judicial killings since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assume power in 2001. Therefore, we deem it imperative to initiate mass mobilizations and actively participate in mobilizations spearheaded by other sectors.
On Services:
True to our vocation, we shall continue to offer our churches and facilities as sanctuaries to the afflicted and the struggling people. We shall also conduct fact finding and mercy missions to the communities and peoples affected by the said draconian law.
We uphold that life is sacred and freedom is inviolable. We urge our people to remain more vigilant and steadfast in their faith and commitment.
Reiterating our commitments, we affix our signatures this 18th day of July, 2007, being the 4th day of the implementation of the oppressive, barbaric and demonic anti-terror law.
Sgd. Sgd.
Bishop Felixberto L. Calang Fr. Raul Arnorcillo
Bishop, Iglesia Filipina Independiente Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Diocese of Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Or
Sgd. Sgd.
Rt. Rev. Danilo Bustamante Bishop Constante D. Claro
Bishop, Episcopal Church in the Philippines Bishop, South East Mindanao Jurisdiction
United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Sgd. Sgd.
Rev. Beltran Pacatang Rt. Rev. Delfin Callao
CONCORD Inc. Bishop, Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Diocese of Davao, Bukidnon
Sgd. Sgd.
Fr. Lito Bayao Rt. Rev. Rhee Timbang
Episcopal Church in the Philippines Bishop, Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Southern Mindanao Diocese of Surigao
Sgd. Sgd.
Rev. Wilman Bongado Rt. Rev. Pablo Jarantilla
Conference Minister Bishop, Iglesia Filipina Independiente
UCCP – SMDC Diocese of Ozamis
Sgd. Sgd.
Rev. Arturo Veladiez Fr. Francis Imperial
UCCP – Mindanao Episcopal Church in the Philippines
Southern Mindanao
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Fr. Ben Bacalso Fr. Vic Arellano
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Sgd. Sgd.
Fr. Noel Bacalso Fr. Elmar Cortes
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Episcopal Church in the Philippines
Sgd. Sgd.
Fr. Renato Mobayaen Fr. Tony Mokudef
Episcopal Church in the Philippines Episcopal Church in the Philippines
Sgd. Sgd.
Fr. Gil Dinapo Rev. Marcial Calawigan
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Conference Minister
UCCP-ADC
Sgd. Sgd.
Fr. Rowell Platil Rev. Emma Catubig
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Sgd. Sgd.
Fr. Manuel Marasigan Rev. Abner Saycon
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Conference Minister
UCCP-DCNM
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Rev. Eliaquim de Aquino Rev. Fr. Jonathan L. Casamina
United Church of Christ in the Philippines Episcopal Church in the Philippines
Sgd. Sgd.
Fr. Wylan Pinera Rev. Fr. Rey C. Timbang
Episcopal Church in the Philippines Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Sgd. Sgd.
Fr. Atellano Homillada Rev. Jovenal Bagnol
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Conference Minister
UCCP-SDC
Sgd. Sgd.
Rev. Minda Capitle Fr. Tonio Ablon
United Church of Christ in the Philippines Iglesia Filipina Independiente
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Fr. June Mark Yanez Fr. Emerito Bilones
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Iglesia Filipina Independiente
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Rev. Franklin Dumaog Fr. Richel Navarro
Conference Minister Iglesia Filipina Independiente
UCCP – DCNZ
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Rev. Oscar Parel Rev. Pablo De la Cruz
Iglesia Filipina Independiente Conference Minister
UCCP-CAC
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Rev. Jelly Salig Rev. Eric Calgas
UCCP-NWM Jurisdiction Conference Minister
UCCP-WMC
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Fr. Delfin Bordas Conference Minister
Iglesia Filipina Independiente UCCP-NDDC
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Rev. Rosario Pacatang Rev. Fr. Rex B. Reyes, Jr.
United Church of Christ in the Philippines Episcopal Church in the Philippines