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Vol. VI, No. 50 Jan. 21 - 26, 2007 Quezon City, Philippines

In the wake of political killings

Religious in Eastern Visayas Push for Peace

It is ironic that a religious movement for peace in Eastern Visayas was launched six days before a professor from the University of Eastern Visayas was killed for his political beliefs.

BY JOHANN HEIN B. ARPON
Bulatlat

The Order of St. Benedict (OSB) in Tacloban launched the Benedictines for Peace Movement in Eastern Visayas last January 13, or six days before a professor was killed for pursuing his political beliefs.

Jose Maria Cui, 53, a professor of history and communication arts at the University of Eastern Visayas, was shot by two armed men last January 19 inside a classroom while giving an examination. Aside from being a founding member of the Northern Samar chapter of Bayan Muna (People First) party-list group, he was secretary-general of the Northern Samar chapter of Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE-NS).

The said movement was launched with the help of friends and networks of the OSB, as well as other human rights and peace advocates. Sr. Edith Eslopor, OSB, said that this is not new to their congregation because Benedictine nuns abroad launched similar movements as early as the 1980s and even before the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Abp. Jose S. Palma of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Palo blesses the gathering at the launching of the Benedictines for Peace Movement in Eastern Visayas in Tacloban City, Jan. 13

In the Philippines, the Benedictines for Peace was first launched on March 6, 2004 during the 15^th Manila Priory Chapter as a concrete response to the urgent call for peace and justice in our society.

Invited as speakers during the launching at the Liceo del Verbo Divino in Tacloban were Bishop Dulce Pia Rose of the Eastern Visayas Jurisdiction Area of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) who presented the national situation and Archbishop Jose S. Palma of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo who shared a Biblico-Theological Reflection.

Bishop Rose said that the narrated economic and political woes of the people include the �historic job crisis, burdensome economic policies, the worsening human rights condition and the continuing efforts to open up the economy to foreign trade and investment.� She said that the recently concluded 12^th ASEAN Summit �will further strengthen an already liberalized economy proven detrimental to the majority of the Filipino people.�

For his part, Archbishop Palma said, �This early, politicians in particular are busy with various alliances and negotiations and preparations for the elections. But many will not forget how those in power manipulated and orchestrated a scheme that almost scrapped the elections. Part of the desire for elections to push through is for people to make known their sentiments about the legitimacy of those in office now.�

He said that what is needed is �character change (or a) renewal of the heart that is seen in our witnessing to justice, love and deep concern for the poor. As individuals and communities we need to denounce evil and proclaim what is good.� While he acknowledged that �darkness envelops and hovers over our land,� he said that life is not hopeless �for there is power both in our individual and collective selves.�

Benedictine nuns at the launching of the Benedictines for Peace Movement in Eastern Visayas, Tacloban City, Jan. 13

The Benedictines for Peace Movement in Eastern Visayas will conduct peace education and seminars and help in the documentation and monitoring of human rights violations by conducting or joining fact-finding missions. The movement will also provide other services like relief work, medical mission and rehabilitation of human rights victims. It will also facilitate legal services and provide sanctuaries to victims of political repression and other human rights violations.

In relation to the national and local elections in May, the movement will also hold voters� education and other related activities. Bulatlat

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