Vol 50. No. 4 OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2019OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RURAL MISSIONARIES OF THE PHILIPPINES

Celebrating Christmas amidst Adversities

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2019EDITORIAL

Christmas carols are played especially in malls and business establishments

months earlier than the celebration itself.

Amidst the festivities, consumerism and commercialism, it’s just and right that we travel back to history and walk with Mary and Joseph through the social climate of the times. “They lived in unjust and oppressive society in which people were heavily taxed, experienced brutality(cf. Douglas Oakma), the murder of the first-born male, an atmosphere of upheaval and social discontent that existed between the farmers, fishermen and townspeople of Galilee and Herod, Roman officials and the urban aristocracy, who held all the wealth and power. Jesus was born into essentially a third-world context under a military dictatorship, a society

where everyone was coerced” (Horseley, Christmas Liberation). Literally, “the people walked in darkness” (Isaiah 9:1).

In this gruesome situation which was not so different as ours, God said “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people… and heard their groans… and have come down to rescue them” (Exodus 3:7).

With God’s intervention, people who dwelt in the land of gloom have seen a great light ”(Is. 9:1-2) and brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing (Is. 9:2) for God has destroyed the instrument of oppression. (Is. 9:3-4) through the birth of Jesus, the Messiah”(Lk.2:1ff), the Emmanuel, God is with us(Mt. 1:23).

Hope has overcome fears and uncertainties amidst persecution and injustices.

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On this issue

EditorialCelebrating Christmas Amidst Adversities

FeaturePeasant Advocacy is not a Crime4

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CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AMIDST ADVERSITIES

The Messiah came in order to liberate us from oppression, and to give justice, and peace. We rejoice despite the gloomy experiences during the year.

Still, we count on the blessings we received, especially our Golden Jubilee and more so to welcome God’s interventions in our lives.

May the holiday celebration fire us to continue our service and journey with our sisters and brothers in the margins of society towards “the fullness of life”(John 10:10), care and protect the well-being of God’s creation as we join in the Church’s celebration of the Year of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Indigenous Peoples.

Merry Christmas and a grace-filled and peaceful New Year! [S]

By. Sr. Elsa Compuesto, MSM

News

Rural poor, church people stand with Sr. Elen Belardo, rgs, Angie Ipong

Reflection3 Rising for Rice

RMP@50: Celebrating God’s Goodness and Fidelity in the Gift of Solidarity with the Struggle of the Rural Poor

RISING FOR RICE

Today, more than ever, we are continually reminded of hunger all over the country. Imagine those working every day under the heat of the

sun for three to four months growing food for the country. They spend for farm inputs, equipment, labor, land rent. Then come harvest time gets nothing in return but debt due to the discrepancy of what he has spent versus his income. They work to feed the nation and yet, they can barely feed themselves and their families.

This is the reality of many rural families across the country, and it reflects how neglected and marginalized our rural sectors are despite our country being an agricultural country.

Even before the enactment of the Republic Act 11203 or Rice Liberalization Law (RLL), our local rice industry has been in chronic crisis. Compared to our rice-producing neighbour countries, our farmers produce a lower average of 3 to 6 tons per hectare at a higher cost of P11 to P14 per kilo. The government has always resorted to band-aid solutions such as rice importation which they said could bring the rice prices down. Despite this, imports have failed to impact significantly on supply and prices because rice importation—as well as rice smuggling—are also monopolized by the same traders therefore putting the industry in deeper crisis.

But after only months of implementing the RLL, it has been clearer that removing the quantitative restrictions on imported rice and allowing unlimited importation would seal the death of the country’s rice industry. With prices of palay reaching as low as P7 per kilo, our farmers are in such miserable state.

Farmer’s groups led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and rice watch group Bantay Bigas has warned before the enactment of RLL that this will happen. And yet, the Duterte administration does not want to admit that this law is to blame for the miserable state of our farmers right now. Sen. Cynthia Villar, the principal author of said law, even has the audacity to deny that the farmers

are suffering because of this law.

According to Ibon Foundation, official figures show that the poverty incidence among farmers (34.3%) and fisherfolk (34%) is higher than the national average (21.6%). The research group estimates that, if based on more reasonable standards of poverty measurement, at least 90%, if not all farmers and fisherfolk, are impoverished.

Such figures are very disheartening. Many have criticized and we have heard the indignation, anger and desperation of those who are directly impacted by this miserable situation, yet some of us are frozen in place when we reflect on how to help.

As Catholics, we are taught that the dignity of every person must always be respected because each person is a precious child of God. Our commitment to the dignity of every person requires special concern for those who are poor and vulnerable, whose needs are greatest, and whose lives and dignity are often threatened by hunger, poverty, and suffering.

In light of these principles, we must commit ourselves to help our farmer brothers and sisters amid this dire state. It is time we talk about this crisis in our schools, parishes and convents. We can invite them for discussions on the local rice industry.

We can also buy local grains directly from farmers and help in promoting their products. We can sign the petition spearheaded by Bantay Bigas calling to repeal Republic Act 11203 and support the bill authored by Makabayan representatives that would repeal said law.

Ultimately, we must realize that while our farmers are fighting for their livelihood, they are also carrying the struggle for food security and self-sufficiency and that we have stakes in this, too. And so, we must join our farmers in their call to repeal the RLL and for the government to support the local rice industry so that they can enjoy the fruits of their labor and live a life worthy of their God-given dignity. [S]

3OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2019 REFLECTION

Photo by Sunstar

PEASANT ADVOCACY IS NOT A CRIME

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 20194

Filipino rural poor and their supporters, including rural missionaries, have always been victims of human rights violations for their firm stand for

genuine agrarian reform and against pro-landlord programs and policies of the government.

Under the Duterte regime, the attacks against progressive groups and individuals, civil society organizations and church people have intensified in an effort to suppress the growing dissent amid the worsening state of the Filipinos. The red-tagging and terrorist labeling have become more systematic as President Duterte issued Executive Order No. 70 last December 4, 2018, creating a national task force (NTF) to end local communist armed conflict and institutionalizing the so-called whole of nation approach.

Among those in the crosshairs of the NTF is the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP). The government apparently sees our missionary work with the rural poor as threats, thereby responding with threats and harassments.

Sr. Elenita Belardo, rgs, our former National Coordinator is now facing a baseless and retaliatory perjury case filed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon. The

Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 37 has ordered the issuance of a warrant of arrest against her. Sr. Elen has posted bail and is set to face arraignment proceedings next year.

It is clear that this case is a reprisal for the petitions for writ of amparo and habeas data that the Karapatan, Gabriela and RMP filed last May. Ultimately, it is a part of the efforts to discredit and vilify the RMP and hinder their missionary work and advocacy for land, justice and peace.

Who is Sister Elen?

Those who know Sr. Elen would describe her as a warm, gentle, soft-spoken and calm.

Prior to her years serving the rural poor through the RMP, she served as a teacher, counselor, and then a principal of the Maryridge School in Tagaytay during the years of the Marcos dictatorship in the 1970s. Sr. Elen, in action and in prayers, stood against Marcos’s martial law. She supported the embattled youth movement and encouraged the Church’s role to speak out during dark and perilous times.

Sr. Elen speaks during a forum on genuine land reform

FEATURE

After leaving her teaching and administrative role, she became active as a missionary in the countryside.

She alongside other Good Shepherd Sisters lived in rural community in Isabela for six years and worked with rural poor oraganizations in the advocacy for land, and genuine agrarian reform.

During her time there, she realized how good her life had been growing up in a landed family in Silang, Cavite and how comfortable they were compared to peasant families who had to work every single day to survive.

This realization led her to be a member of the RMP. Through the RMP, she was able to gain perspective in assessing the situation of the rural sectors and how she can contribute towards genuine change that can affect the lives of the peasant families she was working with.

Servant Leader

Sr. Elen was elected as the National Coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) for two terms. First in 2007-2010 and then in 2016-2019.

As the National Coordinator, she has been involved in various literacy programs, advocacy work for rural welfare, as well as the establishment of schools in indigenous communities.

Through her missionary work with the rural poor Sr. Elen was able to put in practice the first line of the encyclical Gaudium et Spes that says:

“The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.”

Sr. Elen also once said that with her missionary work, she does “the mission of Jesus” as he said in Luke 4:18, “He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free.” and in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

Peasant Advocacy is not a crime

This act of harassment by the government is an outright attack not only against Sr. Elen but also against the Church of the Poor and other peasant and land advocates. It is part of the large-scale crackdown of the government to those that oppose the tyrannical rule and anti-poor policies of the government.

Last December 20, we commemorated the International day of Human Rights and we were reminded of the worsening state of human rights in the country and the challenges at hand.

For us in RMP, as rural missionaries who commit ourselves to servant leadership with the rural poor through collective witnessing and prophetic action, it is our duty to not be cowered by fear and continue our advocacy for genuine land reform and for rural sectors’ welfare, and for just and lasting peace. [S]

5OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2019 FEATURE

Sr. Elen joins a farmer in planting a seedling during a bungkalan activity in Cavite

RMP@50: Celebrating God’s Goodness and Fidelity in the Gift of Solidarity with the Struggle of the Rural Poor

August 12, 2019. The 83 delegates of the 29th National Assembly of the Rural Missionaries in the Philippines together with their friends gathered at

De Meester Residence, St. Theresa’s College, Quezon City for the golden jubilee celebration of the founding of RMP.

The concelebrated mass presided by Most Rev. Deogracias Iniquez, D.D. of the Ecumenical Bishop’s Forum commenced the afternoon’s program of thanksgiving. He was joined at the eucharistic table by the member priests of RMP and other guest priests. The choir from the Redemptorists community of priests and lay missionaries led the congregation to a jubilant singing of praises during the mass.

Sr. Elsa Compuesto, MSM, the incoming National Coordinator expressed gratitude to all those came to rejoice with RMP members after her oath taking, alongside the newly elected Sub-Regional Coordinators.

The highlight of the well-attended gathering was a cultural presentation with the theme, “Limang Dekadang Pagpupuri at Pasasalamat ng RMP”. The powerful sound of the gong fired up the song and liturgical dance that opened the cultural presentation in five parts representing the five decades of the life in mission of RMP. Sr. Elen Belardo, RGS, out-going National Coordinator warmly welcomed the audience. The creative cultural presentation treated those present with video presentations, tula-dula, song and drama, community singing, personal testimonies and other art forms that helped convey the golden moments in the history- life and mission of RMP. Many artists from

various groups together with Dr. Rommel Linatoc brought to life these moments in their creative performances.

Representatives from sectoral organizations and church groups expressed their messages of solidarity in songs, poems and statements. Worth mentioning are the KILUSANG MANGBUBUKID NG PILIPINAS (KMP) and Community Health Development (CHD) who claimed that RMP was instrumental in the birth of their organizations.

In response to these messages of solidarity and in gratitude for the blessings and challenges, Sr. Elen, RGS in behalf of RMP, presented plaques and certificates to many religious congregations especially those whom the founding members belong, sisters who were acted as national coordinators, mission partners and all those who made the celebration worth remembering. Most touching was the presence of a few elderly sisters who personally received their certificates. One of them was Sr. Rosario Battung, RGS who shared a testimony of her life as an RMP and a prayer for the organization’s fidelity to its God-given call to mission, with vigor and courage in the midst of daunting challenges.

It was indeed a joyful and meaningful celebration in gratitude for the 50 years of the gift of God’s call to be in solidarity with the struggle of the Rural Poor. It was filled with energizing encounters among former RMs….remembering moments of happy and life changing experiences in mission as RMP members. It was a celebration that will keep the fire burning in our hearts and whole being to serve the least among us for the many years ahead. [S]

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 20196 NEWS

By. Sr. Rebecca Pacete, MMS

Rural poor, church people stand with Sr. Elen Belardo, rgs, Angie Ipong

The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) in partnership with the Solidarity with the Poor Network (SPN), a network of rural sectors,

church people, artists and human rights defenders today held a solidarity gathering in support of missionary Sr. Elenita Belardo, rgs, and agro-ecology expert Angie Ipong who are both facing trumped up charges due to their advocacy for land and rural welfare at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.

The gathering which was attended by members of various rural poor organizations, congregations and religious institutions was held was in response to the call to stand with peasant advocates such as Sr. Elen and Ipong who have been experiencing intensified attacks for being vocal critics of anti-rural poor policies of the government and for exposing the injustices that the Filipino rural poor continue to suffer.

“Rural missionaries and peasant advocates have long been targeted because of their work with the rural poor in exposing inadequacies and undelivered basic services in the countryside. These attacks against Sr. Elen and Angie are no different,” said Sr. Elsa Compuesto, MSM of RMP and

Sr. Elen, 80, former National Coordinator of the RMP is facing the baseless and retaliatory perjury case

filed by National Security Adviser Esperon that the QC Prosecutor’s Office decided to pursue, while Ipong, 73, who used to be a lay community worker of the RMP in the 70s, is facing trumped –up murder charges.

The SPN also launched the Stand with Peasant Advocates Campaign -Hands Off Sr. Elen, Hands Off Angie Ipong at the gathering which aims to:

• Gather wide arrays of support, national and international for Sr. Elen and Ipong to compel the court to dismiss their cases

• Expose and oppose state repression and harassment of church people, peasant advocates and other human rights defenders

• Share their mission and her advocacies for the poor, the deprived and the oppressed.

“We are hoping that through this campaign, many would know that these attacks are part of the efforts to discredit and vilify our organization and to impede our missionary work and advocacy.” Sr. Elsa added.

During the activity, farmers, indigenous people and church sectors shared their testimonies on the advocacy of both women and pledge commitment to support the campaign. [S]

Chruch people and rural poor leaders in solidarity with Sr. Elen and Angie Ipong

7OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2019 NEWS

SPARKS serves as a news bulletin for all RMP members and friends. It is envisioned that all materials published must come primarily from the organization’s regional network.

Inquiries and articles may be sent to:Rural Missionaries of the Philippines

75 C Maginhawa St.U.P. Village, Quezon CityTel no. (02) 744 2790

Email: rmpnational1969@gmail.comWebsite: https://ruralmissionaries.wordpress.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RMPNational

EDITORIAL BOARDSr. Elsa Compuesto, MSMSr. Rebecca Pacete, MMS

Writer:Faith Padolina-Segundo

Layout:

Banlin Pond

“May the little child whom we contemplate today in the manger, in the cold of the night, watch over all the children of the world, and every frail, vulnerable and discarded person,

May all of us receive peace and consolation from the birth of the Savior and, in the knowledge that we are loved by the one heavenly Father, realize anew that we are brothers and sisters and come to live as such,”

,Pope Francis,

Photo by Rappler