Philippine Church leaders condemn violence in south ‎

Church leaders from across the Philippines have condemned Friday’s violence in drought-stricken southern Mindanao island between police and farmers demanding food relief.  Two farmers died and dozens were injured after security forces opened fire as they dispersed protesters along a highway in Kidapawan City, the capital of Cotabato Province.  Several rights groups have blamed the government for the tragedy, in which 40 policemen were also hurt.  

Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said “a death is always tragic, even more when violent death visits God’s poor.”  “We pray for our farmers in Kidapawan. May those who died find peace and happiness in heaven,” While appealing to the protesters and the victims’ families to avoid vengeance, Arch. Villegas hoped the issue will be resolved immediately.  May their families not give in to the cycle of vengeance but instead seek ways to restore peace,” he said.  “May the police and military return to their mandate to preserve peace, protect the weak and serve justice,” he added.

The drought-hit farmers are asking for food-aid assistance until they can resume planting. They also appealed for free seeds and agricultural support services so they can replace the crops they have lost.

The Redemptorist congregation in Manila has spoken out against the treatment of protesters by police.  "Such criminal acts are unacceptable and demand urgent enforcement of justice," the congregation said in a statement.  "We cannot accept that what you give to those who are hungry is an offer to voluntarily dismantle and disperse their barricade. It is indefensible that when the farmers assert their rights it is okay for the police to simply transform into a murderous frenzy [for they cannot stomach the rights of others]," it said in a collective statement. "What happened then in North Cotabato is a murderous and criminal act done by the police officers of the government. And, we join the victims in their demand for justice," it added.

On Saturday, Italian missionary Fr. Peter Geremiah, parish priest of Arakan town in Cotabato, visited the detained farmers, some of whom are his parishioners and beneficiaries of the parish projects.  The United Methodist Church also deplored the violence, as its leaders ask for a “just and peaceful” solution to the problem “that upholds the dignity and protects the human rights of all persons.”  “I pray for an end to violent confrontation and a spirit of compassion and reason,” said Susan Henry-Crowe, UMC General Secretary. Many of the protesting farmers have taken refuge in the Spottswood Methodist Center.