Church condemns Philippines government following massacre

Church leaders have accused the Philippines government of a ‘lack of respect for human rights’ following the massacre of 57.

The group was attacked on the southern island of Mindanao while on their way to register a candidate in elections to be held next year. A member of a rival political group has since been taken in for questioning, though he denies any involvement in the deaths.

Those killed were relatives and supporters of politician Ismael Mangudadatu, including politicians and journalists, as well as onlookers who witnessed the ambush.

The man arrested by police is a member of the rival political group the Ampatuans.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) has condemned those responsible for the killings – claiming that the government is doing nothing to counter an ongoing spree of human rights abuses.

A statement issued by NCCP reads: ‘It is a massacre most foul, gross and utterly repugnant. NCCP joins the people in mourning. We reach out in prayer and solidarity to the families of the victims of the massacre in Maguindanao. We also reach out to the relatives of those missing.’

NCCP claim the perpetrator is ‘a known staunch ally of the president and undeniably a political warlord’.

'Culture of impunity'

The statement continues: ‘This massacre is a grim reminder of the pervading culture of impunity and the lack of respect for human rights that has been in our midst, and that has turned for the worse since 2001.

‘We are indignant of this continuing culture of impunity and the lack of political will of the government to stop these killings.

‘Government statements [about] dismantling political warlordism have been mere rhetoric. Government has either turned a blind eye or entered into alliances with these warlords for political expediency.

‘We pray that peace and justice be given a chance in Mindanao and elsewhere in this country. We pray that all the resources that have been poured in Mindanao will bail out the people from the mire of poverty, neglect and human indignity. We pray that we can all rise from this blasphemy for the sake of the God who loves us all and calls us to be one people and for the sake of our children and the children yet unborn.’

USPG is an advocate for justice and change in the Philippines, where impoverished rural communities are overlooked by government services and often victims to despotic warlords.

Posted on 26.11.2009