We, the Evangelical community, are deeply saddened at
the violent turn of events in parts of Mindanao for reasons related
to the failed signing of the draft Memorandum of Agreement—Ancestral
Domain (MOA-AD) between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF).
The alarming situation
Since the aborted signing of the MOA-AD, which was scheduled to take
place in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, armed MILF groups have gone
on a rampage in North Cotabato and Lanao Del Norte killing scores of
innocent civilians, including women and children. As response to the
atrocities Government forces have launched punitive military action
against the MILF elements responsible for the attacks. In the meantime,
the media have reported the formation of Christian vigilante groups,
which have issued grave warnings of retaliatory action to any future
atrocities against the Christian community.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council and other
governmental agencies have reported that around 70 civilians have been
killed and some 360,000 people dislocated since violation erupted three
weeks ago.
The deterioration of the peace and order situation in
Mindanao has caused deep anxieties on various communities not only in
the region but in the entire country. Many fear that if the escalating
situation is not diffused Mindanao might again be mired in internecine
conflict that engulfed the region in the ‘70s.
Let us pursue the path of peace
As followers of Jesus Christ, we adhere to the truth that all authority
in heaven and on earth falls under His kingship. His reign represents
the true essence of peace, harmony, understanding and love.
We believe that the situation in Mindanao grieves the
heart of Christ. And so it does ours. We hold the truth that Christ
only sees in all unsurpassable worth and thus bestows on all unsurpassable
love.
Let us reject and condemn violence
Violence, destruction and hatred dehumanize their victims and their
perpetrators, their object and their subject. They despoil human dignity
and sully God’s image imbedded in every human being. As followers
of Christ we seek to uphold the value that God sees on each individual
irrespective of ethnicity and religion.
The killings and violence in Mindanao are not pleasing
to the God of love and reconciliation. Regardless of its complex genesis,
we strongly believe that the only way to stop eroding the true worth
of each human being is the path of peace.
Violence begets violence. The only way to arrest its
stranglehold is to halt its vicious cycle. It would take all sides to
the conflict to accomplish this difficult but rewarding task. We implore
all sides to commit to the path of peace that truly lasts.
We also implore those that actively seek the way of
violence in Mindanao to desist from their activities and recall Christ’s
words that those who live by the sword die by the sword.
We ask for the rule of law to be applied to those guilty
of recent atrocities and appeal to all sides to desist from any actions
that escalate violence, endanger the lives of more innocent civilians,
cause the separation and suffering of families, and result in dislocation
of people from their communities.
Let us promote greater understanding
The Bible compares an untamed tongue to a small spark that can set forests
afire. Careless words are dangerous, unhelpful and liable to conflagrate
combustible situations. We are gravely concerned that the situation
in Mindanao has not been helped by the grand standing and braggadocio
of media-hungry politicians on all sides throwing out careless calls
for all-out war that only further enflame emotions and escalate the
situation.
While the way of dialogue and understanding sounds as
the most counter-intuitive of virtues in time of war, we believe that
it is precisely what is most needed now to stem further violence. Empathy
is the barrier to the slippery slope of internecine conflict. We are
therefore unapologetic to urge all sides for greater understanding and
empathy, which are the foundational virtues for any lasting peace in
Mindanao.
Let us continue to work and pray for peace
We commend those that are working towards peace on the side of the Government,
the MILF, the religious sector, community-based NGOs, civil society
and other people’s organizations. We encourage them to continue
their noble and godly work. Our prayers are with them.
We call on all, especially churches in the area that
banner the lordship of Christ, to continue to pray for peace and lend
all possible assistance to the dispossessed, the grieving and those
that are suffering because of violence and conflict.
It is in this time of darkness, confusion, animosity
and despair where the love of Christ must shine forth and where the
hope He offers must provide the comfort that many so desperately need.
Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches
Board of Directors
Quezon City
August 31, 2008
For more information, please call Bishop Efraim M. Tendero at tel. no.
913-1658; fax nos. 913-1655 to 57 (local 601); or email us at info@pceconline.org.