Religious order chiefs urge solidarity with hungry farmers

Philippine superious condemn violent dispersal of drought-hit protesters.

Activists demonstrate outside the Philippine National headquarters in Manila to condemn the violent dispersal of protesting farmers and indigenous people in Mindanao on April 1. (Photo by Mike Taboy)

Manila:  Leaders of the Philippines' major Catholic religious orders have called on all their members to unite and "speak and act" in solidarity with the poor who suffer hunger and violence.

The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines urged its members to go to the aid of farmers violently dispersed by state security forces in Mindanao on April 1.

"When our brothers and sisters who endure famine brought about by El Nio-drought suffer not just hunger but violence, even violent death, we weep, mourn and ask," read their statement released on April 7.

The religious superiors questioned the government's failure to maintain peace during the bloody dispersal of protesting farmers and indigenous people in Cotabato province of last week.

"Why was extreme force used against the protesters?" they asked.

"Even if there are, allegedly, lawless elements among the protesters, it is the duty of the police to prevent lawlessness without resorting to violence," they added.

At least three protesters were reported killed, 116 wounded, and 81 others detained when police dispersed some 6,000 farmers and tribal people seeking government help to get them through an ongoing region-wide drought.

In a Senate investigation, Bishop Ciriaco Francisco of the United Methodist Church condemned the entry of state security forces inside the Protestant church’s compound in Kidapawan City in the aftermath of the dispersal.

"They even blocked the gate of the compound with a police car," said Bishop Francisco. He said heavily armed soldiers were even taking pictures of those who entered the bishop's office.

Heads of government agencies snubbed the April 7 investigation.

"When can the nation expect those who perpetrated violence [on both sides] to be held accountable for their criminal actions?" the religious superiors asked in their statement.

Father Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of the social action secretariat of the Catholic bishops' conference, called for an independent investigation into the incident.

"If real justice should be served, those found guilty should be penalized," the priest said.

Sister Susan Bolanio of Oblates of Notre Dame congregation in Mindanao said even though she did not agree with the farmers blocking the highway, "the violence that erupted must be thoroughly investigated."

The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc noted that other measures could have been taken to prevent the violence.

The partnership is a social development network of people’s organizations, faith-based groups, while Misereor, is the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Germany.

"It was no secret to us that these areas [in Mindanao] would be heavily impacted by the drought and that funds were earmarked to help them cope," said Yoly Esguerra, its national coordinator.

"That we had to wait until it reached this point is unacceptable," she added.

The government has announced it has released about US$3 million early this year to help an estimated 125,228 families or 626,140 people affected by drought in Cotabato province and nearby areas.

Source: UCAN