Where are the Prophets?

”Mga Sisters, mga Fathers, kumakatok po kami sa inyo…nasaan na ang mga pastol? Sinisibasib na po kami ng mga lobo! Pinapatay na po kami!!!”

Why is Orly Marcellana asking where are the prophets now?

it is timely to ask this question as we live in a time that is full of uncertainties. Announcing and proclaiming the kingdom of God is dangerous at a time when a bishop, pastors, lay workers and peace advocates are being killed because they denounced human rights violations.

The dearth of prophets was felt even during the period of exile of the Israelites up to the times of John the Baptist. During this period, the prophets were faced with all sorts of danger in acting as spokesperson and conscience of the people.

Today, the people are asking if where are the modern prophets in the struggles and aspirations of the poor and oppressed. Are the prophets still in their comfort zones?

Are the prophets gone?

They are still around. But, perhaps, their social activism has taken a different stroke as the present condition calls for it. The fire of truth, justice and peace sustains their prophetic witnessing. For Carmelites, the prophetic ministry is continuously lived out and expressed in their convictions and programs within the Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation ministry. In the face of fraud, corruption and human rights violations, our JPIC in collaboration with other JP’s, interfaith and ecumenical movements immediately made its response in defense of the people’s right to life.

Our JPIC convened reflection discussions on the impact of Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) and the Anti Terror Law on the lives and rights of the people. Our JPIC was also part of the organizers of Forum and Conferences on Charter Change, Extra Judicial Killings and Urban Militarization.

illings to the attention of its broader community. It collaborated with the other Human Rights Organization in the documentation of the testimonies of the survivors and families of victims of extra judicial killings.

Our JPIC workers climbed mountains and crossed rivers during the fact-finding missions and dialogues. Recently, we investigated the atrocities against and the displacement of the indigenous people in Agusan Del Sur.

We are active in joining the mass mobilizations or the parliament of the streets to express solidarity with the peasants, fisherfolks, workers, urban poor and other sectors who are calling and demanding for justice. The parliament of the streets is a venue for the seminarians, student friars and friars to be in solidarity with the struggling poor. Ocarm-JPIC statements have issued statements on the various national issues through the internet, interviews in the leading television networks, radio and print media. We linked up with other Church-based organization such as the Promotion of Church Peoples Response (PCPR); Caraga Church Peoples Against Peoples Repression (CCPAR); Inter-faith Network for Justice and Peace (IFNJPN) ,Task Force on Urban Conscientization (TFUC) and Pilgrims for Peace (PfP) to add our voice on the various issues and concerns.We thank our priests, student friars, associates and lay people in the local communities who keep the charism and tradition to be contemplative in the midst of the people. The challenges ahead is greater. Let us pray and work together as we seek justice and peace in our time.

Defend the land of the Indigenous People! Defend their life!

This is the enduring cries of the Lumad who suffer from the anti-poor policies of the Arroyo Administration. During the celebration of the Indigenous People week held at Baclaran Church last October 13-14,2007, Bro Gilbert Billena and Joey Linag participated in a forum and joined the call to respect and defend the ancestral domain of Indigenous People.

In a joint statement, the Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan sa Pilipinas ( KAMP) and the Inter-Faith, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Network( IFJPIC) declared that the national economic policy of GMA on super regions is a comprehensive program aimed at destroying the IP communities, the environment and the remaining natural resources of the country. To ensure the implementation of these projects, the Arroyo regime is using state terrorism fortified by Human Security Act and militarization in the countryside in order to force the entry of foreign corporations and infrastructure within the ancestral domain of the Indigenous people.

Thus, the military strategy dubbed Oplan Bantay Laya of this regime has led to extra-judicial killings of indigenous people who strongly resist mining operations in their areas. Embracing the plight of the poor and the marginalized, the church cry out with them: Resist the plunder of our natural resources by foreign corporations! Junk the Philippine Mining Act of 1995! Stop Militarization and Implement Genuine Agrarian Reform!

Carmelites mark day of the disappeared in Manila’s Plaza Miranda

The Carmelites led the International Day of the Disappeared last August 30 at Plaza Miranda in Manila’s Quiapo district.

The federation of associations of relatives of the detained and

This year’s gathering was especially dedicated by the Carmelites for missing agriculturist Jonas Burgos, son of Sr. Edith Burgos, OCDS as well as for former Carmelite brother Nilo Arado. Together with hundreds of relatives and supporters, the Carmelites and ecumenical groups led a liturgy for justice and peace then marched along España towards the Liwasang Bonifacio to demand the Arroyo government to immediately surface the missing activists.

Various groups including the Free Jonas Movement, Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties, Desaparecidos, Tanggol Magsasaka and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan gathered at the three-hour program in Liwasang Bonifacio.

In a statement, Fr Jerry Sabado, OCarm declared, “We of the Carmelites Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation believe that the assault on the lives of those who work for justice and peace is an assault against the Church and the whole Christian community. Must the shepherds and prophets of peace be abducted and killed because of their duties in service of the poor? These murderous acts and coward abduction are manifestations that our human rights situation is getting worse despite the national and international condemnation.”

According to the human rights group Karapatan, the number of those abducted and disappeared under the Arroyo administration reached a high of 184 as of August 30, 2007.

Churchpeople reflect on the real state of the nation

“The true State of the Nation is here,” this was how Bro. Salvic Pajarillo, a Carmelite novice described the atmosphere at Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City as priests, pastors, deaconesses, religious sisters, seminarians and lay people joined workers, farmers and urban poor groups in a peaceful protest during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address on July 26, 2007.

The Carmelite family, including student friars, priests and formators mingled with the sectors and listened to the people’s stories about how they cope during these hard times. As testimonies on the real situation of the rural and urban poor were expressed in the leaders’ speeches, Bro. Salvic noted, “PGMA’s speech claiming that the Philippines will soon be a First World country is obviously far from the realities of deepening poverty suffered by the people.”

While GMA delivered her speech, the urban poor jeered at her when she reported that the lives of the poor became better these past days. Mang Macario stated that his family remains poor and jobless.

Among the religious who joined the SONA rally were first-timers like Sr. Hilda Binyahan of the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of the Angelus. Sr. Hilda admitted that at first she was distracted by the chanting and jeering of the rallyists but later realized that the people were indeed crying out for legitimate grievances against perennial government neglect and corruption. Reflecting that the church has a role to play in realizing a society where the fullness of life reigns, Sr. Hilda noted, “I believe that there is still hope for this nation if the people will tirelessly work for truth, peace and justice.”

Brother RJ Abada of Order of Friar Minors also shared the sentiment of Sr Hilda. There is a challenge for conscientization of the Church people. With the human rights situation worsening under this regime, there is a need to toughen their stance on issues of political killings and repression. This can be achieved by re-activating the Justice and Peace Ministry among the Religious and strengthen the church-based human rights ministries.

“I am greatly humbled and challenged when we are with the masses in their struggles and aspirations,” Bro. Bong Caberte, a first year Theo from MSC said of the SONA rally.

STATEMENT ON HUMAN SECURITY ACT

He who wants to win the world for Christ must have the courage to come in conflict with it.” -Titus Brandsma

In these challenging times, “Let justice roll down like the waters of righteousness like an overflowing stream.”(Amos 5:24)

The whole family of the Order of Carmelites shares a common vision with the Christian churches in the Philippines and around the world in building a society where God’s justice, peace and love reign. The preservation of human dignity is our primary concern. We denounce any form of measures that would imperil the gift of freedom, the defense for human rights, and nurture life to its fullness. We deplore the promotion of security that would only mean the curtailment of the basic freedoms bestowed upon people.

The increasing number of extra-judicial killings, tortures and enforced disappearances and all forms of human right violations has been of a great concern to us. These violations are insult and affront to human community. It has to be condemned at all times and must be addressed by faith communities. Tyranny has no reason to rule as it contradicts all means to nurture life.

We are even more alarmed that the Anti-Terrorism Law disguised as Human Security Act (HSA) has started its implementation. For us, the law would be another instrument to curtail our quest for genuine freedom, peace and justice. Though the government claims that the law is designed to protect the people, but the provisions tell otherwise. We cast our doubt whether the HSA will truly protect the rights of the people to speak out for truth.

As we are witnesses to the people’s cries, we raise with certainty that:

HSA will never protect the urban poor who are fighting for survival and resisting demolition.

HSA will never protect the farmers who are advocating and crying out for genuine agrarian reform.

HSA will never protect the workers’ right to demand for just wage.

HSA will never protect the indigenous people as they defend their ancestral lands.

We call on our fellow believers to remain steadfast to our faith and carry forward the mission of proclaiming truth, justice and peace in our land. Let us not give up, and let us not allow our faith to be an instrument of state’s terror.

The call of Moses to lead his people and Elijah against the God of Baal is also our call of the present time. We live in a world full of injustice and disquiet. It is our duty to contribute to the search for an understanding of the causes of evils (Carmelite Constitutions 111)” It is also our task as religious people to be in solidarity with our people for their search for genuine freedom, peace and equality, the true essence of democracy. It is here where the true sense of faith is grounded.

Defend Human Rights!

Junk the Human Security Act!

Prophetic Call By: Gilbert S. Billena

There were times I was told by my brothers in the student Friary that I had to observe extra care and I will not go alone in the far places, and some of them would even tease me that I will not live longer due to my involvement in the justice related advocacies with people’s organizations. Admittedly, as a young seminarian who aspires to live a longer life, I felt fear upon hearing the testimonies of the victims and seeing in the news many incidents that occurring almost every day.

In my age now I have the option or temptation of just enjoying the comforts and privileges in religious life. But Alleluia! I felt that my motivation is growing even more, especially with the richness of the prophetic tradition of my Order. I came to realize that the challenge to be an integrated person is to undergo the process of searching the presence of God in the midst of the people. However, this effort will not be accomplished overnight. It has to go through a lifelong process. Thus, I never forget the words I uttered during my first profession, “Narinig at nadama ko ang daing at panaghoy ng aking naghihikahos na mga kapatid bunga ng pagsasamantala at di makatarungang sistema ng ating lipunan…” The said profession formula always reminds me of the call of the Gentle whisper: The people’s agony, cries, fears and anguish. Then, here I am, realizing my vulnerability. That I am also stalked with fear and I cried out. Maybe, the greatest temptation for this fear is to hide in my comfort zones.

The chronic economic and political crisis: graft and corruption, homelessness, massive unemployment, and the growing hunger of the Filipino people have engulfed the country now. As young students, do we have to close our eyes and ears and tell ourselves… wala akong pakialam?( Why do I care?)

In the process of the Carmelite formation program, we immersed ourselves in the lives of Indigenous Filipino People, Farmers and Workers and other sectors. This is not just an academic enterprise but a venue to learn and be evangelized by the poor. As Gustavo puts it “ we drink from the wellspring of the poor”

The reality that I experienced during and after my immersion is a seed of hope that I have to nurture. This is the commitment to the struggle of the poor. Can I do that? Maybe yes or maybe not. But as long as I keep the promises I made in my first profession, which is to listen to the cry and anguish of the poor, I will continue raise my little voice .....MAKIBAKA ‘WAG MATAKOT!

Weaving the thread of peace in a shattered Land

“I will search for the lost and bring back the strays, I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, I will shepherd the flock with justice.” (Ezekiel 34:16)

Is there a ray of hope that peace and unity will ever reign in our troubled land?

The signs that we see are clearly heading farther from peace and unity.

As battalions of combat troops are deployed in the countryside and even in the urban areas, will the farmers’ cry for land or the workers’ clamor for just wages be justly addressed? In the current situation where the state is engaged in military solution, just peace becomes more elusive. Instead of pursuing confidence-building measures for the peace process to flourish, this country is turned into a big military garrison with the Filipino people as its enemy. And while the state unleashes thousands of truncheon-wielding policemen to quell protests, the human bodies may be battered, but cries of those who long for food, jobs, housing and other basic rights will not be mute.

We affirm that life as a gift from God is sacred. But the country’s leaders appear to be worshippers of a god of death. The country is turned into a big burial ground through the government’s all-out war declaration. Thousands of civilian lives ended up as ‘collateral damage’ in the face of large-scale military offensives. All sorts of human rights violations are inflicted on innocent civilians who are either tortured or killed on mere suspicion that they sympathize with the so-called insurgents labeled by the government as ‘enemies of the state’ or ‘terrorists.’

Military solution is being waged without addressing the root causes of the social conflicts. What have been done about the problem of poverty, landlessness and social injustice?

Elusive peace in the Land of promise

Under the pretext of crushing the Abu Sayyaf, the Arroyo government again aimed its bombs and guns at Moro territories. It is indeed a big question why the Abu Sayyaf problem always turns up even after the army has claimed that it has been wiped out. The July 2007 skirmishes yielded 27 dead bodies on the side of the government troops. Massive bombardment on government enemies displaced thousands of families in Basilan and Sulu.

Are these the fulfillment of PGMA’s promise to bring peace? Or self-serving schemes for the political survival of an illegitimate president who desperately clings to power?

Reign of Terror

Rocked by protests on massive corruption, election fraud and human rights violations, PGMA practically thrown out the meaning of human rights with the passage of the Anti- Terrorism Law. Even when this law was not yet enacted, death squads have been operating in this country targeting leaders and members of cause-oriented groups. Church people, journalists, lawyers, defenders of human rights, peace advocates, peasant organizers, labor leaders, young people and political activists were killed with impunity.

These atrocities only mirror the sufferings of Filipinos under the US-led ‘war on terror’. The unsolved political murders are tied with the ongoing war on terror. By following the pattern of this dirty war, the Arroyo administration unjustly labels government critics as enemies of the state or terrorists. But who are the real terrorists in our country?

In his paper titled “ Philippines after 9-11:Focus on Mindanao as the “Second Front” of the US’ War on Terror” Rep. Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna defined “terrorism” as modern imperialist aggression masquerading as a crusade against evil. It is the ultimate pretext for the world’s number one superpower to wage what could be the biggest and most expensive war in history to further expand its markets, pump-prime its failing capitalist economy and impose its rule over the world.

Since the Philippines is considered as a strategic outpost from which to project its military might in China and Muslim dominated regions, the US has tightened its grip in the Philippines. The US and other foreign powers are eyeing the wealth of Mindanao (oil, gold and other minerals), rich water and marine resources, the thickest forest cover and highly fertile lands. To justify all-out war and military intervention, the US and Philippine governments insist that Muslim groups have links with the Al Qaeda and the Jeemayah Islamiya. But actual operations reveal that the RP-US military exercises are not aimed at crippling the Abu Sayyaf but directed at the Moro groups fighting for self-determination.

Peace comes with justice

While the regime is launching war in all fronts, nothing has been done to declare war against those who plundered the nation’s wealth. When will justice be served on those who betrayed the Filipino people? Whatever happened to the Senate resolution that seeks to investigate the allegation that high- ranking officials had a “direct hand in feeding the soldiers to the enemies in Basilan?” Where is justice when the likes of General Jovito Palparan who was noted in the Melo and Alston reports as one of the mastermind in the spate of extra-judicial killings remain unaccountable? After the conviction of ousted president Joseph Estrada, will the Arroyo family and other plunderers account for the 728 million fertilizer scam, the $2-million Impsa power plant pay-off, the P28-billion Northrail project, the P200-million Jose Pidal bank account, the P1.3-billion Mega Pacific Comelec computerization scam, the P1.1-billion Macapagal Boulevard overpriced contract and now, the $200-million kickbacks in the ZTE broadband contract?

The challenge at hand

As Carmelites, we are deeply troubled by these acts of injustice on the human person. Instead of sitting in apathy or fear, we are called to examine these evils from the optic of the victims. What must be done?

As our Constitution notes, “We live in a world full of disquiet.” Indeed, the Philippines is facing dark days ahead. We therefore enjoin our Carmelite family and all religious to affirm the sacredness of life denounce injustice and call for end to the systematic desecration of lives, rights and dignity of our people. Believing that peace cannot flourish in a climate of state-sponsored persecution and all-around corruption, let us remain steadfast in solidarity with the people’s quest for peace that is grounded on justice.

Now that all-out militarization and political persecution are waged in the blanket of the Anti-Terrorism Law, let us continue to add our voices in defense of human rights, to pray and act together with the grieving mothers and fathers who lost their children for the continuing pursuit of just peace.