The National Council of Churches in the Philippines renews its call for the Philippine
Government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to proceed with the
formal peace talks. The peace talks is a
response to the yearning for peace and justice by the long-suffering majority
in this country. To delay it further is
to pass on a responsibility which was within the means of the present to
resolve, display the lack of will to deal with the barriers to a just and lasting
peace and betray the faith in the Filipino.
Many agreements and resolutions have already
been signed by both parties. Among them
are The Hague Declaration, the Breukelen Joint Statement, the Joint Agreement
on Safety and Immunity Guarantees, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect
of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and recently, the Oslo resolution of
February 2011. We have celebrated the
signing of these agreements aware that these were achieved painstakingly and
with the welfare of the people in mind.
The NCCP believes that these agreements are
guideposts towards a successful peace negotiations. These are consistent with the Biblical
mandate to “seek peace and pursue it” (IPeter 3:11). Furthermore, we understand that the greater
population of this country has delegated the power and authority to pursue just
and lasting peace to those who are now called to see it through. We enjoin the parties to consider the
foregoing charge.
We urge both parties to abide by and build on
all previously signed agreements.
Continue the discussion in a manner befitting a genuine advocate of just
and lasting peace. May the God of peace
give you the will and the grace to accomplish this task.
We also urge our constituents in the
ecumenical movement and to fellow citizens of this country to hold on to the
vision of peace. Amidst the diversity of
gifts of the faith is the divine invitation to proclaim and live out the call
for peace on earth and with the earth.
Let us be steadfast in chanting God’s greatness and power in the
struggle for abundant life. Our
unceasing prayer for peace and injustice includes our prayers that the men and
women involved in the peace talks will persevere. As the enthusiasm of the people for just and
lasting peace refuses to fade away so do we urge the two parties to hold on to
that same enthusiasm until we shall all dwell comfortably in our homes, own the
lands we till and live in dignity according to the work of our hands.
signed
REV. REX RB REYES, JR.
General Secretary
signed
BISHOP NATHANAEL P. LAZARO
Chairperson
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