January - March 2017Vol 48 No I Official Publication of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines

On March 29, 2017, the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, in partnership

with UST Simbahayan Community Development Office and UST Junior High School held an advocacy forum: Dialogue of Life: For Land and Peace at the Benavides Auditorium of University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The advocacy forum highlighted the importance of the resumption of peace talks between the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). It also discussed the situation of farmers being tagged as NPA Rebels

and becoming targets of brutal political repression.

Assistant Professor Froilan Alipao, MCD, assistant Director, of UST SIMBAHAYAN, gave a warm welcome to more than 400 students and some faculty members of UST.

The first to speak was Gabriela Representative Emmi De Jesus, whose lecture was titled “Buhay ng mga Maralita sa Kanayunan, lalo na sa mga Kababaihan, at ang Pangangailangan ng Makatarungan at Pangmatagalang Kapayapaan”. “Life of the Rural Poor in the Countrysides, especially the Women, and the Need for Just and

Long Lasting Peace.”A representative of AMGL

Peasant Women from Fort Magsaysay, Norma Mariano, followed. She narrated how her family members and fellow farmers experienced all sorts of hardships during military operations of the AFP.

Meanwhile, Ka Satur Ocampo, discussed the relevance of the Peace Talks—its evolution and its historical development, and its need of support from the people—as well as the struggles of the rural sectors for its resumption.

Turn to P3

Dialogue of Life:

For Land and Peace

UST Prof. Mark Anthony Abenir and former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo

2 January - March 2017Editor ia l

The peace talks between NDFP and GRP is back on track again. And we cannot

otherwise but feel elated if not relief, even if just temporary or short live.

Come March, 2017, both parties agreed and came out with a unified declaration to go back to the negotiating table and meet for the fourth round of formal talks in Oslo, Norway scheduled on April 2-6.

The declaration came just a month after Duterte withdrew a unilateral ceasefire, scrapped the peace talks and ordered the AFP and PNP to wage an “all-out war” on the NPA. A declaration that brought about an alarming vicious attacks against peasants and lumad communities where the armed conflict is most intense.

It is fortunate that an agreement was reached after members of the peace panels of two parties met for back channel talks on March 10 to 11 in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

As expected, talks of new kinds of ceasefires followed the agreement. But as Fidel Agcaoili of the NDFP panel said, “ceasefires, whether unilateral or bilateral, are just a means to an end. Its main purpose is to create conditions conducive to reaching agreements on basic reforms that are satisfactory to both sides,” Agacaoili said.

Bishop Felixberto Calang, convenor of Sowing the Seeds of Peace, further added, “We appeal for genuine dialogue to proceed so that the talks can truly reflect the will

of the people towards silencing the hunger of the stomach rather merely working out the silencing of the guns.”

Indeed, hopes are high that the coming next round of the peace talks will produce “more breakthroughs” as the fourth is supposed to tackle the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms or what is called CASER.

CASER is supposed to be the ‘heart and soul’ of the whole peace process, what is at the very core of what would address the roots of armed conflict. Among other things, on the table would be topics on Land Reform and Rural Development, national industrialization and economic development, environmental protection, rehabilitation and compensation.

But what really is in CASER that makes it so vital ? It is the issue of “free distribution of land” or Land for the Tillers” as the basic component of genuine agrarian reform. The GRP and NDFP Reciprocal Working Committees on social and economic Reforms have already agreed on the “free distribution of land” as key to genuine agrarian reform. This already is a major breakthrough.

Nevertheless, whatever the GPH and NDFP get to agree on, what is crucial really is their implementation and that the broad people become active participants in the struggles for social justice and true long lasting peace.

Front page1 Dilogue of Life: For Land and Peace Editorial2 Yes! 3 Photo essay

5 Sacadas from Mindanao to Hacienda Luisita in Central Luzon

6 They ‘championed’ the cross while whipping the poor

7 RMP Southern Mindanao Regionstatement8 RMP statement on PAMALAKAYARegions9 RMP, KMP and other peasant advocates launch Stop Killing of farmers network

10 RMP-West Mindanao holds Task Faith ReflectionNews11 A new school opens for Manobo Pulangion children

12 RMP Reiterates call for release Amelia Pond and other political detainees

12 RMP Cebu holds dialogue of life

13 RMP Supports HB NO.555 Poem14 Pagtawid sa tulay ng Mendiola

“This dialogue is what creates peace. It is impossible for peace to exist without dialogue. All the wars, all the strife, all the unsolved problems over which we clash are due to a lack of dialogue. When there is a problem, talk: this makes peace“. (8/21/13) Pope Francis

Y e s !

On this issue

3January - March 2017

UST rector Fr. Querico Pedregoza.

Artists for Peace in St. Scholastica forum.

Dialogue in UST

REDS - Pangkat Sining of the Redemptorist.

Dialogue in Benavides Hall, UST.

Dialogue of life forum in St. Scholastica.

Dialogue of Life: for Land and Peace

"Keeping the Flame of Peace"

4 January - March 2017

Dialogue of Life... From P1

Sr. Elenita Belardo, RGS.Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas.

Rev. Fr. Ben Alforque, msc of Promotion of Church People’s Responses (PCPR) led a Biblico-theological Reflection on Land and Peace and discussed the role of the Church in the context of social justice.

Members of UST academic community comprise the panel of reactors: John Steven DS. Usero, Second Year AB history, Ms. Marielle Y. Marcaida, MA UST Department of Political Science and Fr. Querico Pedregoza, OP, Rector of UST Central Seminar.

Comments and remarks of students in the forum were very revealing and challenging: “True freedom is based on true peace”. “It was so enlightening to hear real life experiences of our poor local farmers.” “We should have more of these dialogues.”

Assistant Professor Mark Anthony D. Abenir, DSD, Director of UST SIMBAHAYAN, gave the closing remarks with a recap of all the topics discussed.

The forum ended with a community rite, Ritwal ng Pagtatalaga sa Pagsuporta sa Usapang Pangkapayapaan: Pagpapasa ng Apoy ng Kapayapaan or Ritual of Support to the Peace Talks. NICODEMUS, an ecumenical forum of seminarians led the lightning of candles to symbolize the turning over of the Flame of Peace.

Dialogue of Life St ScholasticaPrior to the UST forum, RMP

also organized a Dialogue of Life: For Land and Peace forum last March 9, 2017 at St. Scholastica’s college.

The forum was attended by more than 84 participants with around 40 students and some faculty of St. Scholastica.

Sr. Elenita Belardo, RGS, warmly opened the forum followed by discussions from Representative Arlene Brosas, Atty. Jobert Pahilga, who came on behalf of Hon Rafael Mariano, DAR secretary, who explained the Prospects of Socio-Economic Reforms under Duterte’s administration and Satur Ocampo who talked about the peace talks. Discussions also highlighted on the situation and issues of rural women in the countrysides.

Representatives from different sectors comprise the panel of reactors. A speaker from Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Southern Mindanao also came to speak about the issue of peasants of Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (MARBAI).

Sr. Elenita, RGS led the Biblico -theological reflection on the role of the church in the context of socio-economic situations. The forum culminated with Fr. Oliver Castor, CSsR leading the Ritual of Support to the Peace Talks and turning over of the Flame of Peace.

5January - March 2017

Sacadas from Mindanao to Hacienda Luisita in Central Luzon

Why on earth did Hacienda Luisita had to “import” or to be more exact lure, deceive, abuse and exploit destitute rural poor of Mindanao? It was December of last year

2016 while the whole country was celebrating the Christmas

holiday when around 52 sacadas from Bukidnon, Mindanao fled the miserable conditions in sugarcane camps of Hacienda Luisita.

Four of them were minors aged 15-17 years old while 24 were lumads or indigenous people belonging to the Manobo tribe from the towns of Valencia City, Don Carlos, Maramag and Pangantucan.

Later the Onyon sa Yanong Obrerong Nagkahiusa (United Small Farmworkers Union) or (OGYON), Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA)’s local affiliate in Bukidnon province will learn, that as early as August 1 last year 2016, Greenhand, a labor recruitment agency based in Polomolok, South Cotabato, was hired by Agrikulto of Hacienda Luisita to actually recruit around 1,000 “sacadas” from Mindanao.

Indeed by late December 2016, DOLE reported that a total of 834 out of 861 sakadas it has accounted for have escaped from Hacienda Luisita.

By January, 2017 , UMA was able to rescue and assist 18 more sakadas from Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley and South Cotabato with women and children among them. Later on March 5, four more sacadas from Polomolok, South Cotabato were given assistance by the DSWD. UMA would later assist and give temporary sanctuary to nine more sacadas this time from the T’boli tribe in South Cotabato.

Driven by poverty, landlessness and joblessness, they were lured and recruited to work in the milling season or in the local term “kabyawan” in Hacienda Luisita.

They were promised a “Tarlac package” consisting of a daily wage of P450, including free meals and

provisions for board and lodging, free travel to and from Hacienda Luisita and P7, 000 cash advance. They were promised Social Security System benefits or SSS, Pag-ibig contributions and other benefits, and even promised a stay in a hotel.

The contracted workers instead received weekly wages from as low as php66.21 or php9.46 a day. While some T’boli sacadas from Polomolok South Cotabato revealed that four among them received php44.00 a week or php6.00 a day.

Aside from the extremely low wages, they had to wake up as early as 2:00am to be able to work from 4:00 am up to 5:00pm. And much worse, among them, were minors and seniors, and they were made to pay for the food they were fed—rotten sardines, noodles and most days, nothing.

On top of all these, they were housed in cramped, poorly ventilated

and stinky bunkhouses in barangay Mapalacsiao, near the Central Asucarera of Tarlac (CAT), sugar mill of Hacienda Luisita. And at night they were locked up inside like prisoners to prevent them from escaping.

According to UMA Secretary General Danilo Ramos, the hiring of sacadas has been a long exploitative practice by landlords and sugar barons during sugarcane harvest. It is one of the worst kinds of contractualization, where workers are hired en masse to work in deplorable conditions and then paid slave-like wages.

“The sacadas would not have been transported to cut cane in Luisita if there was genuine land distribution. Today, local farmworkers (in Hacienda Luisita) have lost control over their land, while the heavy work in the fields is shouldered by cheap labor from Mindanao,” Ramos further added.

6 January - March 2017

They'championed' the cross while whipping the poor

Forty of the trafficked farmers are finally back in Mindanao. We rejoice with them as they

reunite with their families, back to what is familiar, back to what is home. But at the same time we rage. We rage how our society is able to maintain the monstrosity that is Hacienda Luisita, that is the power of a few elites borne on the breaking backs of our poor.

The Cojuangcos have maintained their affluence through the persisting slave relations in their hacienda that for so long eluded agrarian reforms. The master-slave treatment of the landless farmers and agricultural workers in our countryside has continued with a veneer of development in the urban centers.

It is a pity how many of our countrymen turn away from this scene as they continue to celebrate the socialites these barbaric relations have continued to feed for years. These rich families show off their extravagant lifestyles and unabashed power to an adoring crowd.

Many of our countrymen deny the poverty around them, trying to identify with the rich and the famous—the old rich who in the history of the shaping of our country had been the pets of our colonizers, the compadres of tyrants, the traitors to our people. They have now taken on the shoes of corporate moguls who are not ashamed of exploiting other people. Families such as the

Cojuangco perpetrate inhumane conditions to squeeze more profit from a crisis-ridden economy.

This in a country that is proud to be God-centered. This from families who claim to champion the cross even as they continue to wield the thorned whip that lashes through the flesh of the poor.

While we celebrate the coming home of the sakadas, we continue to denounce the evil structures that has created this condition.

And we dare to ask our faithful who keep denying the economic quagmire we—the office employees, the daily wage earners, the ordinary people who comprise the bulk of our population—are in, who are we really with?

“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.”—Exodus 21:16

Ailene Villarosa RMP-NMR

7January - March 2017

Mindanao Peace Forum

In keeping with the country’s “climate” clamoring for PEACE, the Rural Missionaries has

been active together with other sectors in the region pushing for the resumption of the peace talks. Prior to the forum a Peace consultation was conducted, initiated by the Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP), Ateneo de Davao and the Sisters Association in Mindanao (SAMIN).

The sharing from various sectors was very rich and revealing as they articulated the “compelling reasons” why the peace talks should resume . From the farmers: the centuries old aspiration to till the land they can call their own, has been a perennial problem, hence the need for CASER as among the solutions. The Health sector crying out for affordable medication , and free hospitalization for the poor.

The cry of the Lumads is the

RMP–Southern Mindanao Regionpull out of military and paramilitary groups from the schools and saying NO to the intrusion of mining companies, as they will just grab their ancestral lands .

Salugpungan Schools Moving upThe Executive Director and

Administrative Officer who are RMP members and lay co-workers in-charge of the Direct Services Program in Education to the peasants and indigenous communities had been very busy attending

Commencement Exercises , Moving-Up programs and Recognition Rites in the growing number of alternative schools in the region. It was a wise move for clustering the more than fifty schools already within Davao.

It was very moving to see parents, grandparents including siblings of those pupils and students who finished kindergarten, grade school and secondary levels going up the stage putting on the awards (medals, ribbons, certificates) earned by their daughters and sons.

UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan and Bibyaon giving a token

Bishop Felixberto Calang, Satur Ocampo, Fr. Rex Reyes, Sr. Luz Mallo of SAMIN and from the GRP panel.

8 January - March 2017

PAHAYAG NG PAKIKIISA SA PAMBANSANG LAKAS NG MAMAMALAKAYA NG TIMOG KATAGALUGAN (TK)

“Naisip ba natin na may mali sa mundo, na kung saan ay napakaraming manggagawang bukid na walang lupa, may napakaraming pamilya na walang tirahan, may napakaraming manggagawa na walang karapatan, napakaraming tao na ang dignidad ay hindi nirerespeto.” (Mula sa Talumpati ni Santo Papa Francisco sa Ika-2 Pandaigdigang Pagtitipon ng Popular Movements, July 9, 2015, Sta Cruz, dela Sierra, Bolivia)

Minamahal naming mga kasama sa PAMALAKAYA-TK

Isang maalab na mapagpalayang pagbati sa inyo. Kami sa Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) ay mahigpit na nakikipagkaisa at

nakikipagdiwang sa inyong ika-3 Kongreso ngayong ika 22-23 ng Pebrero 2017 na may temang “Higit na Linangin, Bigkisin at Ibayong Patatagin ang PAMALAKAYA-TK! Ibayong Isulong ang Pakikibaka para sa Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa (TRL) at Pangisdaan para sa Pagkakamit ng Tunay na Makatarungan at Pangmatagalang Kapayapaan”!

Kinikilala ng RMP ang masigasig na pangunguna ng PAMALAKAYA-TK sa pangrehiyong pakikibaka para sa pagsusulong ng mga batayang karapatan sa pangisdaan ng mga mamamalakaya sa Timog Katagalugan, at sa inyong di matatawarang pagsisikap na isulong ang kapakanan at kagalingan ng mga batayang sector sa pangisdaan.

Mga kapatid at kasamang delegadong mangingisda mula sa ibat ibang probinsya ng rehiyon sa Timog Katagalugan na natitipon sa Kongreso ng PAMALAKAYA- TK, pinagtitibay ng RMP ang aming pagtatalagang makipagkapit-bisig sa inyo. Maaasahan po ninyo ang aming pakikipagtuwang na bitbitin sa aming pagkilos ang inyong mga sumusunod na mga panawagan:

1. Ang tuluy-tuloy na labanan ang New Fisheries Code of 1998.2. Ang labanan at tutulan ang batas na R.A. 10654, komersyal na pangisda at laban sa kautusan ng Palawan Council of Sustainable Development

(PCSD) sa pagkakaroon ng off-season ng pangangawil ng Lapu-Lapu;3. Suportahan ang sektor ng pangisdaan upang harapin ang iba pang mga lokal na usapin na kinaharap ng masang mangingisda, partikular ang malawakang pagpapalit gamit ng baybay dagat para sa eko-turismo at pook pahingahan sa diwa ng anti-mamamayang Public Private Partnership (PPP). 4. Sa pagpapatibay ng ugnayan ng mga mamamalakaya at ibang mga sektor ng mga dukha sa kanayunan na magkaroon ng mukha ang pangrehiyong kilusang mangingisda, para itaguyod at ipaglaban ang Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa at Pangisdaan.

Kinikilala namin na sa pangunguna ng mga lokal, pangmunisipyo at pangprobinsyang balangay ng kilusang mangingisda sa ilalim ng PAMALAKAYA-TK at sa pambansang antas, ng PAMBANSANG LAKAS NG MAMAMALAKAYA NG PILIPINAS (PAMALAKAYA) magkatuwang nating maipagtagumpay ang pakikibaka sa repormang pangpangisdaan, at kasama ng iba pang pambansang demokratikong sektor ay makakamit ang tunay na pagbabago, pambansang kaunlaran at ang tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaang nakabatay sa katarungan.

Kay Jesus at para sa bayan,

Sr. Elen Belardo, RGSNational Coordinator, RMPIka-22 ng Pebrero, 2017

9January - March 2017

RMP, KMP and other peasant advocates launch Stop Killing of farmers network

On March 29, 2017, the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) and

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) joined hands with farmers and other peasant advocates for a national convenors meeting at the Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, to organize a broad nationwide Stop Killing Farmers network in the midst of alarming mounting number of peasant killings across the country.

The launching of the network coincided with the Dialogue of Life for Land and peace forum in UST, sharing of peasant survivors of MARBAI and ALMANA in Baclaran church and a cultural tribute program for martyrs and true heroes in Bantayog ng mga Bayani.

Fr. Oli Castor, C.Ss.R. of the RMP and official spokesperson of the Network, views these endless killings as forms of repression against farmers, their leaders and advocates, who have long been demanding for genuine land reform in the country. Fr. Oli called on churchpeople, artists and

other advocates to join Penitential Walk for Life, Land and Justice which will be held on April 14, a Good Friday.

Anakpawis also called on President Duterte to put a halt to the continuing spate of political killings of peasants, leaders, activists and agrarian reform beneficiaries by government military forces as well as by their para-military vigilantes, private goons and security forces of despotic landlords.

On March 31, hundreds of peasants from Luzon and Mindanao, joined by Anakpawis Party-list Rep Ariel “Ka Ayik” Casilao, and other progressives marched to Mendiola.

The march was timed just before the fourth round of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on April 2, which is expected to discuss social and economic reforms that will address the roots of the armed conflict, foremost of which is poverty and landlessness.

The campaign aims to bring

the issue of escalating peasant killings to the broad public nationally and internationally and to generate broadest support to the plight and struggles of peasants in their struggle for genuine agrarian reforms and for true justice and lasting peace.

The group also called for the withdrawal of AFP troops from farmlands, peasant communities, schools and barangay halls in the countrysides and to demand justice and accountability to perpetrators of such rampant brutal killings.

According to KARAPATAN as well as reports from peasant organizations, as of March 27, the number of farmers killed already reached 46, of which 31 were all from Mindanao with around 23 killed from February to March alone.

The latest victims so far recorded was the brutal killing of farmers Cora Molave Lina, Arman and Arlyn Almonicar, all members of Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Laak (Namulak) in Barangay Kibaguio, Laak, Compostela Valley on the afternoon of March 27.

10 January - March 2017

RMP Western Mindanao held a Task Faith Reflection seminar last February 20 -

21, 2017 at Raymunds’ Mountain Resort , Manga, Pagadian City . It carried the theme, “Palawakin at patatagin ang hanay ng kristiyanong pamayanan upang paigtingin ang pakikibaka para sa Makatarungan at Pangmatagalang Kapayapaan” or (Broaden and strengthen Christian communities to intensify struggles for a Just and Long Lasting Peace”

Sr. Elenita Belardo RMP National Coordinator and member of the Religious of Good Shepherd, gave an orientation of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines as an inter-congregational and inter-diocesan national organization of women and men, priest and lay.

Sr. Elen also explained RMP’s vision of a free, just, peaceful and equal society and its’ mission to work with the rural poor farmers and agricultural workers for genuine agrarian reforms and land to the tillers, fisheries reforms for the fisher folks; and land and self-determination to the indigenous people. RMP encourages church people to work and support

struggles of the rural poor. Fr. Oliver Castor, CSsR, RMP national office, then spoke about RMP’s activities and plans.

Domingo Pabillar , chair of Alyansa ng Magsasaka sa Zamboanga del Norte (ALMAZAN), gave a situation of farmers particularly in Leon Postigo, (ZN). Peasant delegates cited not getting significant services from government. Furthermore, they were even victims of harassment by AFP forces.

The body approved a General Program of Action for 2016 -2017. Priority was given to expanding the ranks of peasants organizations in many areas of the region, especially in the municipalities of Mahayag, Molave, Bayog, Godod, Diplahan and Leon Postigo, all of Zamboanga del Norte.The need to also revive chapters that have become inactive was also noted.

There’s also the need to give stress to education work especially on issues of mining and extractive industries, social and economic reforms, and other relevant peoples’ issues. The body also took note of the importance of the Peasant Advocacy

Work (PAW) and the Peasant Organizing Support Program (POSP) which includes conducting capability building activities, increasing agricultural production through organic and sustainable agriculture, among others.

Peasants organizations formed by local layworkers of RMP included the following: Nagkakaisang Magsasaka sa Bayog (NAMABA), Lumalabang Mamayan ng Guinoman (LMB), Alyansang Magsasaka sa Godod (Almagodod), Magsasaka sa Lourmah (Malourmah) and Alyansa ng Magsasaka sa Zamboanga del Norte (Almazan).

Peasant delegates from Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte, Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur (ZS), Dipolog City, Pagadian City, and lay workers from San Vicente Ferrer Parish, Molave, Zamboanga del Sur attended the seminar. While religious from the Good Sheperd Sisters and Missionary Sisters of Mary (MSM) together with their lay workers of the church from Sibugay Province, Zamboanga came in solidarity with the peasants.

RMP-West Mindanao holds Task Faith Reflection

11January - March 2017

A new alternative literacy school under the Rural Missionaries of the

Philippines-Northern Minanao Sub-Region (RMP-NMR) Inc was opened on March 21 at the community of the Tribal Indigenous Group Association (TINDOGA) under Project New Genesis.

“Most of the community members stopped after the 5th or 6th grade because of poverty and lack of resources,” Angular continued.

One hundred seven family members of TINDOGA, Godwin Yidana, the international programs coordinator of the Catholic Mission Australia (CMA), and groups that have been supporting the assertion of TINDOGA over their ancestral

domain attended the opening of the school.

The opening of the school saw 58 enrollees, aged 8 to 19 years old, categorized into four levels. The school and the feeding program will be facilitated by Marilou Avenido, the new volunteer alternative learning school teacher.

Jelly, one of the students said she is happy and thankful for the new school. “I will no longer walk for hours,” she said. “I promise to study well.”

“We thank the RMP-NMR for the unwavering support despite the continuing threats,” said Angular. “We are also thankful to Godwin for visiting us, coming in solidarity with our people. It is rare for funders to

visit us, especially as we are already far from the city centers.”

“TINDOGA is a very beautiful place,” Godwin said. “People are united not just in their struggle for their ancestral land, but also to their everyday lives. They work as one, they live their lives as one.”

The project, supported by CMA, is a relief and rehabilitation initiative for the formerly displaced Manobo Pulangion community. CMA’s commitment includes child-focused community development and sustainability programs that encourage community participation, improve the well-being of those in needs without discriminating by race, religion, culture or political persuasion, and produce sustainable benefits.

A new school opens for Manobo Pulangion children

“I’m glad that a school is put up in the community so their children will no longer walk far to school avoiding accidents on the road,” said Erlinda Angular, a Manobo Pulangion in Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon”.

April Thessa Diaz

12 January - March 2017

RMP Reiterates call for release of Amelia Pond and other political detainees

THE Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR-

RMP) reminded anew of President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to release the political prisoners through amnesty proclamation, claiming the government is not acting on this promise.

In a press statement, (dated January 17, 2017), RMP-SMR Coordinator Sr. Nelinda Añover called on the Duterte’s administration to release the political prisoners especially the elderly, the sick, women, and the victims of trumped up charges like Amelia Pond, a RMP layworker who was a Salugpongan teacher.

The statement came in the wake of the upcoming third round of peace talk between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the

National Democratic Front of the Philippines slated on January 19 to 25 in Rome, Italy.

Añover said the government should fulfill its promise and comply with the signed agreements like Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law

and stop militarizing the lumad schools and communities under the Oplan Bayanihan (Oplan Kapayapaan) military drive.

Currently, there are 392 political prisoners in the country and in SMR alone there are 83 of them, four of whom are women including Amelia Pond.

RMP Cebu holds dialogue of lifeLast March 11, 2017, RMP-

Cebu in coordination with Cebu Ecumenical Solidarity

for Peace held a forum, Dialogue of Life for Land and Peace, and a Biblico-Theological Reflection on land and peace, at the San Alberto Carmelite Formation Center, Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City.

Speakers and resource persons in

the forum discussed the importance of the resumption of peace talks considering that substantial achievements have already been realized as a result of the resumption of the peace talks last year.

They cited among many others as big accomplishments the re-activation of the JASIG (Joint Agreement for Safety

and Immunity Guarantees), the recognition of previous agreements, the release of NDFP consultants, reciprocal ceasefires, the different joint agreements, and the recent supplemental guide for the CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law).

13January - March 2017

RMP supports HB NO.555

RMP along with other peasant advocates including the Department of Agrarian

Reform Employees Association, Office of the National Anti-Poverty Commission and the Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees, was among those who expressed support for the passage of House Bill 555 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill during a hearing in congress last February 15, 2017.

In its position paper titled: The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines Resolutely Stands with the Rural Poor in Calling for the Enactment into Law House Bill No. 555 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB), RMP clearly expressed its resolute support for GARB with the main demand of “Land for the Tillers” which until now remains the cry of millions of poor and landless farmers.

RMP assailed the failures of all past regimes from the Marcos dictatorship with its Presidential Decree No. 27 (PD 27) and the Cory Aquino administration’s Republic Act No. 6657 or Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), and the CARPER of the Arroyo and Aquino administrations, which all failed to address landlessness, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.

“We appeal to you to exercise your power, through legislation, to effect change in the lives of the rural poor of the Philippines. This is your opportune time to contribute to the promotion of social justice and integral rural development, which will help bring about a genuine, just and lasting peace.”, Sr Elen Belardo, RGS and national coordinator

of RMP, conveyed to honorable members of Congress.

At the same time, Anakpawis party-list Ariel “Ka Ayik” Casilao, in a press statement called on the Duterte presidency to push for the enactment of GARB. “This is the most opportune time, as he expressed openness to fundamental reforms in society. This was even agreed upon in the GRP-NDFP peace talks, particularly on Socio-Economic Reforms,” Casilao said.

Standing firmly for GARB, RMP extolled the message of Pope St. John Paul II in his encyclical Laborem Exercens (1981) where he stated that “agriculture is of fundamental importance” and

called on “church people to help bring about radical changes in order to restore to agriculture and rural people their just value as the basis for a healthy economy.”

RMP also cited another relevant message from Pope Francis from his speech in the World Gathering of Popular Movements in Bolivia on July 9, 2015 where he conveyed: “Do we realize that something is wrong in a world where there are so many farmworkers without land, so many families without a home, so many laborers without rights, so many persons whose dignity is not respected?.. So let’s not be afraid to say it: we need change; we want change.”

Congress hearing HB No.555 Sec. Rafael Mariano and Fr. Oliver Castor

Peasant advocates support HB No.555

NATIONAL BOARD

Chairperson and National CoordinatorSr. Elenita Belardo, RGS

Secretary and Eastern Visayas CoordinatorSr. Claudia Sampal, OSB

Treasurer, and Central luzon CoordinatorFr. Marcelito A. Paez

Regional Coordinators:Agnes Mesina (Northern Luzon)

Sr. Lily Salilin, MSM (Central Visayas)Sr. Francis Añover, RSM ( Southern Mindanao)Sr. Merlita Rodulfo, MSM (Western Mindanao)

Aileen Villarosa (Northern Mindanao)Evelyn Urbiztondo (Caraga)

Maricel Salem (Soccsksargen) AMRSP board liaison: Fr. Cielo Almazan, OFM

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 Philippines7D K-JJ St. East Kamias, Quezon CityTel no. (+632) 961 5094Email: rmpnational1969@gmail.comWebsite: rmp-national.weebly.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/RMPNationalTwitter:@rmp_natl

EDITORIAL BOARDSr. Elenita Belardo, RGSFr. Oliver Castor, CSsR

Coni de LunaMa. Isabel Aquino

Faith Padolina-Segundo

Contributors:Sr. M. Francis Añover, rsm

Ailene Villarosa Jon Neil PerfecioApril Thessa Diaz

Layout and Photo editor: Boy Bagwis

Ngayo’y araw ng magsasaka, Sapagka’t araw ng paggunita Sa paglipas ng mga taon Ang pait at galit Napalitan ng sigasig.

At sa diwa’y Nalarawan ang araw Na tayo, sa tulay Sa huli, ay tatawid At sa kabila sa Palasyo Tunay na pamamahala Ating ititindig.

Hindi nasayang mga buhay Nilang inalay at dugong idinilig.

Martir sila bayaning wangisMga binhing sa lupa’y nangalibingPaghinog ng panahon Laksa laksa ang kapalit Sa uhay ng pakikibakang Sa paglaya ay hitik.

Sa tulay ng MendiolaSa tulay ng mga Umiibig sa bayanTiyak na darating ang arawTatawid tayong Iwinawagayway Ang bandila ng ating Kalayaan.

Pagtawid sa tulay ng Mendiola Fr. Oliver Castor, C.Ss.R

Recited during the mendiola massacre anniversary January 22, 2017