The Transit Lounge

Mark Zirnsak and Jill Cooper

Since 2001, hundreds of people in the Philippines, including journalists, lawyers, farmers, union leaders, civil rights workers and clergy, have been killed or abducted, with little or no follow-up investigation by police.

According to human rights and religious groups (including a special United Nations investigator), the Philippines military has involvement in many of the murders and abductions.

Unpack the Issues...

• Discussion points
• Take Action
• Further Reading

Among the victims are more than 30 Christian pastors or certified church workers — from several denominations — who have been abducted or killed. The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) has experienced the most losses, with many clergy and lay workers killed or abducted.The Philippines remains a country with very vivid divisions between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’. Political power is exercised by a ruling elite supported by the security forces.

The present government, headed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, came into power in 2001 with the promises of introducing reform across all political and economic systems of the country. The legitimacy of the government’s election continues to be challenged and, under the pretexts of the ‘war on terror’ and a new emphasis on internal national security, the Philippines has become heavily militarised. The longstanding communist insurgency is used by the government as an excuse for action against any persons and groups who seek to stand with and for the poor.

Yet through all of the targeted violence and suffering, pastors and church members in the UCCP continue to hold true to their faith and calling, and to their commitment to preach and live their lives according to the gospel of Jesus Christ and participate in activities which puts them at the edge.

Two recent cases are those of Pastor Berlin Guerrero and Pastor Rodel Canja. Pastor Berlin was abducted and tortured in May 2007 and since that time has been imprisoned in a local jail where he awaits yet another court appearance and a chance to be cleared of what UCCP believes to be false allegations that have been levelled against him. Pastor Rodel Canja was abducted at the start of May 2008 and, although released four days later, continues to fear for his life and the safety of himself and his family.

Members of the UCCP are not marble saints, immune from fear and human frailty. Pastor Guerrero did reveal names of people he knew while under physical torture at the hands of military intelligence and the police.

Ruel Munasque, a youth worker with the UCCP, was abducted by soldiers at a check point and subjected to physical and psychological torture in October 2007. He was forced to falsely sign a statement that he was a communist rebel and to pose with a grenade as incriminating evidence.

Ruel said:

I felt so humiliated and helpless...but I could not move nor I could speak the truth…. During those days of lament, I was hopeless and tired of waiting for help. Sometimes one’s commitment, faith, and endurance will be put to the test. Pressure and threats were always there puncturing my soul and I heard no help inside my cold grave… Well it would be better to ‘play the game’ they wanted, the game of the devil was the only choice left. I was just too afraid of my death and afraid of losing my loved ones if I did not cooperate with them. But I didn’t want to see these criminals persecuting the people and celebrating their evil plans at the expense of many innocent lives who just wanted to serve for the realisation of our dreams. A dream for a just and social order where justice, peace and equality reigns.

The members of the UCCP who have been subjected to these abuses for living out their faith point to true courage. For courage in these situations is not about being able to resist physical torture and death threats, but being able to continue the struggle for a just society as a long-term commitment. It is to continue the struggle in the face of the threats and real danger of being murdered, while knowing we are all subject to human frailty.

The commitment and strength of the UCCP members cannot be echoed any more strongly than in the words of Mylene Guerrero, the wife of Pastor Berlin Guerrero:

When my husband Pastor Berlin was ripped from our family’s arms by plain-clothed men on our way home from Church one year ago, I had no idea how our lives would be uprooted. At first I was unspeakably afraid that Pastor Berlin would be killed and that I would never see him again. Over one year has passed and our fight for Pastor Berlin’s freedom is not yet over. We are determined to fight for justice, for Pastor Berlin and all victims of human rights violations.

Unpack the Issues...

Discussion points

• How willing would you be to seek a just society in the face of the very real possibility of being murdered, tortured, abducted or having your loved ones targeted?
• What does courage mean to you in seeking a just society in a situation like the Philippines?

Take action

• The Uniting Church in Australia continues to stand in solidarity with the UCCP. You can help by writing a letter.

Further reading

• Getting Away with Murder – Impunity for those targeting Church Workers in the Philippines

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