KALINGA PEACE ADVOCATES
Statement of Unity

We all find ourselves in deep grief and sorrow at the turn of events in our beloved Kalinga. Killings have overrun the land, terror is being sown in the minds and beings of our people, while peace and social justice have become non-existent, negligible pillars of our province. Alongside these, however, we are compelled, more than ever, to stand for truth push forth the outrage and condemnation for peace and justice.

The killings, most especially against political activists, did not happen just so. The political assassination of Rafael Markus Bangit and Alyce Claver, and the frustrated attempt on Dr. Constancio “Chandu” Claver is part of an “all out war” state policy against political dissent of any sort targeting even the legal and unarmed groups like partylist Bayan Muna . The human rights violations have become more brazen as in the case of Dr. Claver. The shooting happened in broad daylight, in front of children who were going to school and very near a police outpost.

Under the Oplan Bantay Laya of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Makoy and Alyce are now added into the growing number of progressives and militants who have fallen under the sword of the state. The government has defined them as part of the “collateral damage” in their drive to defeat “the enemy”. Yet these people are like the prophets of our age. Aren’t they the ones who have deeper perceptions of the ills that plague this nation, and propose alternative ways towards meaningful change?

We cannot dismiss the fact that the regime which has given blessing to the summary execution of militants and activists is equally liable in this case as those who have personally perpetuated the crime. Brothers and sisters, may our cry for justice reverberate and prick the conscience of those who perpetuated such a dastard act and bring them to repentance. We also call on the government and its instrumentalities for an honest and speedy investigation of the case so that justice maybe served.

To the people of Kalinga, justice is our business. This is rooted in our baptismal covenant, to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. This is the enduring truth about our being Christians that we cannot close our eyes to the fact that justice is at the very heart of the Gospel that we received, believed and preach.

Let not our acts of condemnation and calls for justice stop there. More than ever, we are compelled to run the extra mile in the pursuit for peace based on justice. We cannot be forever afraid, fearful for our own lives. Our lives would be more meaningful if they are lived in such a way that we are able to build monuments that shall serve as enduring reminders that once upon a time we have walked on this beautiful world and helped to make it more beautiful. St. Paul is emphatic on this saying, none of us lives for himself only, none of us dies for himself only. (Romans 14:8)

We are inspired by the lives of the heroes and the martyrs of this world because their deaths have meant something for the generations that come after them. And so therefore, they may have been of the past but their spirits live on in the hearts and minds of people. The deaths of Makoy and Alyce have, in fact, opened our eyes to the realities of the world, and that much more needs to be done about truth and justice.

We enjoin you, brothers and sisters in Kalinga, to break free from the shackles that bind—fear and apathy—and instead gather our strength and voice to work for peace and justice in our beloved province.

We hereby enjoin all peace-loving citizens of Kalinga to:

• Join us in the Kalinga Peace Advocates for the continuing challenge to uphold peace based on justice;
• Mobilize for a Cordillera-wide activity to involve other provinces to work for peace, justice and human rights in our Cordillera homeland;
• Call on the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to uphold their mandate to serve and protect the people, including properties; and fervently uphold due process in the case of criminal elements;
• Call for the removal of Col. Pedro Ramos from the PNP, full and honest investigation of human rights violations and summary killings, and that appropriate punishment be meted out against him;
• Call on all Kalinga tribes to work for inter-tribal unity and say no to tribal war

August 25, 2006
Tabuk, Kalinga

Reference/For interviews:
Rev. Norman Taynan (mobile number: 0918-711-9664)
Spokesperson, Kalinga Peace Advocates