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| PGMA asked to Give Absolute Pardon to Aquino-Galman Convicts | |
| PCEC Statement on Mindanao Issue | |
| Evangelical Guidelines on the Issue of Population Control | |
September 23, 2009
Recently, Bishop Efraim Tendero, National Director
of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), reiterated
their earlier request to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to extend
absolute pardon to the Aquino-Galman convicts. PCEC is the largest network
of Evangelicals in the country with 26,000 local churches and 69 denominations.
Thirteen years ago, Bishop Tendero began to personally minister to the
Aquino- Galman convicts while they were serving term at the national
penitentiary. He provided leadership development training for some of
them, especially for the late Sgt. Rolando de Guzman, who became a pastor
of a Christian congregation inside the maximum security compound.
In one of their private sessions, Sgt. Rolando de Guzman shared the
details of the story of the August 21, 1983 fateful day. Among others
was how he shot Rolando Galman at close range after the latter shot
the Senator.
At first Bishop Tendero was skeptical of his story, but was later on
convinced through the help of the UP forensic experts, Professor Jerome
Bailen, Dr. Erwin Erfe, Dr. Benito Molino, , and Dr. Anastacio Rosete,
who did their analysis of the autopsy, court and medical records of
the late Senator Aquino pointing to Galman as his assassin. PAO Chief
Persida-Acosta also furnished more testimonies and affidavits of new
witnesses—Spo4 Ruben Cantimbuhan, Alexander Villalon, Dominador
Aguayo, Bruce Oliva (brother of abducted and slain Ana and Catherine
Oliva) regarding the veracity of the story of the convicts.
Bishop Tendero then approached some politicians and media persons for
them to visit and listen to the convicts so that they may also advocate
for their pardon but such pleas fell on deaf ears.
When many of them were already sick and hospitalized, he appealed to
President GMA to grant them executive clemency on the basis of humanitarian
grounds so that they could be cared for by their families in the remaining
years of their lives. However, they were not granted absolute pardon
although their sentence was commuted.
Bishop Tendero’s request was based on the following grounds: First,
the late Pres. Cory Aquino had forgiven the soldiers based on her letter
to the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) dated December 7, 2007. Second,
the soldiers have been qualified for clemency since 1996. Third, former
Pres. Fidel V. Ramos granted commutation of sentence to Sgt. Felizardo
Taran way back in February 1996. Fourth, the soldiers are now sick and
four had even died. Fifth, the soldiers have suffered and served sentence
of almost 26 years of imprisonment. Sixth, the BPP has recommended their
pardon since 1996. Lastly, other religious leaders like the late Executive
Minister Eranio Manalo have also requested for such on the convicts’
behalf.
Bishop Tendero, together with the PCEC Board of Directors, was grateful
that PGMA commuted their sentence early this year. Hence, when Sgt.
Rolando de Guzman went home to be with his Creator, he was in the care
of his family. As the rest of the convicts are now in their twilight
years, the PCEC leadership is now asking Pres. Arroyo to go the second
mile by granting them absolute pardon so they can still get some back
benefits that will help them in their reintegration into the mainstream
of the society. That will also help them regain some sense of self-worth
as the said benefits can help meet the financial needs of their families.
Bishop Tendero said, “Commuting their sentence owing to their
worsening health and their being advanced in years was a humanitarian
act, but giving them absolute pardon to restore their dignity is a divinely
inspired act.”
23 September 2009
For more information, please contact Bishop Efraim M Tendero at tel. no. 913-1658 or email to info@pceconline.org.
September 1, 2008
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
July 24, 2008
Many people have expressed their concern about
the alarming growth of our population. About 5,800 babies are born
daily. They’re equal to three villages, that is, an additional
1,098 villages every year. One doesn’t have to be an economist
to tally how much more food, water, shelter, medicine, and other resources
will be needed for their support. At this growth rate there will be
100 million Filipinos by 2013.
In the light of the current fuel and food crises, it is totally irresponsible,
and certainly not sane, to ignore this problem. The present uncontrolled
population growth over these many years have undeniably contributed
to, and accelerated the poor getting poorer, and have led to thousands
of abortions, unnecessary maternal deaths, thousands of abandoned
children, increase of street dwellers, among other ills of society.
Different people are responding in different ways. Some congressmen
have begun renewing a move that will aggressively push various means
of birth control. Likewise, some local officials have started launching
the same programs in their municipalities. The Bishops of the Roman
Catholic Church will be holding a rally to fight such moves and to
commemorate the 40th year of the issuance of ‘Humanae Vitae’,
Pope Paul VI encyclical that promotes life and prohibits artificial
means of birth control. Another bishop threatened to deny communion
to politicians who will promote an agenda contrary to the view of
the church.
As Evangelical Christians how do we respond? We are calling our people
reflect on these guidelines:
We believe the Bible as the final authority in all matters of faith
and practice (Mark 13:31). While we respect the opinions of leaders
and people from the different sectors of our society including the
leaders of churches, we judge their statements by the standard of
the Word of God. Leaders and teachers err but “the word of the
Lord shall stand forever” (Isa. 40:8).
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man
of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim.
3:16-17).
We affirm the sanctity of marriage. It is the union between a man
and a woman who bind themselves in a covenant before God and man to
love each other as long as they live. . The higher purposes of marriage
are for mutually completing one another, mirroring God’s image
of tri-unity to the world, and multiplying a godly legacy. (Gen. 1:26;
Gen. 2:18-24; Mal. 2:15)
We affirm the sanctity of the human life. We believe that life begins
at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Job 10:8-12, 31:15; Jer. 1:5). Unborn
babies, at whatever stage of pregnancy should be preserved and protected.
Termination of this life is sinful and offensive to God. But preventing
pregnancy or conception is not abortion for no life has yet been conceived
and there is nothing to be terminated.
We believe in management of creation. That part of God’s command
to man is not only about multiplication but stewardship. The purpose
is to control or subdue the earth so that the quality of life can
be preserved. We also take note that that command was given to a world
population of two. While our first parents were commanded to multiply
and cultivate, the mandate was coupled with instruction to care or
protect. Nowadays, the global community is starting to experience
and realize the potential disaster mankind will suffer, if we do not
become responsible guardians of our environment. So it is with families.
Pursuing responsible parenthood is integral part of wise stewardship
of creation.
“ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and
said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth
and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the
air and over every living creature that moves on the ground”
(Gen. 1:27-28). “The LORD God took the man and put him in
the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen.2:15).
Therefore,
We support government programs and policies that will improve the
quality of life of our people. These should include good governance
and faithful stewardship of our resources.
We also support programs that will help control the population growth.
We are encouraging our government officials to offer married couples
various birth control methods that are non-abortive in nature so that
they can decide more wisely what is best for themselves.
We ask our churches:
To offer actively and urgently married couples counseling services
that will include responsible parenthood, family planning, and various
means of birth control.
To sponsor programs that will promote godly and wise stewardship of
their families. Providing for the material needs of ones family is
not only an urgent economic issue, it is also a serious spiritual
concern:
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially
for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than
an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).
PCEC Board of Directors
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
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