Pilgrims for Peace Press Statement
June 30, 2022
Church and Civil Society leaders decry terrorist designation of retired Catholic priest Msgr. Walter Cerbito: terrorist designations unfounded, secretive and contrary to much-needed efforts for peacebuilding in the Philippines
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 40:10)
With only a matter of days left in the Duterte administration, the unfounded tagging of Msgr. Walter Alipio de Asis Cerbito as a terrorist, as an alleged member of Christians for National Liberation also designated previously as a terrorist organization, is an affront to his Christian faith and his lifetime of mission and ministry. As Church and Civil Society leaders, we stand together and denounce the actions of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) and their release of a resolution that also designated Luis Jalandoni, a former priest, who has been representing the National Democratic Front of the Philippines(NDFP) in peace talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines(GRP).
Msgr. Cerbito is a respected man of the cloth who has been at the forefront of human rights advocacy and ministry with poor and marginalized communities. In Northern Samar, Msgr. Cerbito is renowned for upholding a prophetic stand against human rights abuses. His advocacy has angered powers-that-be, including the military and other government officials who had oppressed local communities and violated their democratic rights. Prior to Cerbito’s retirement, he was active in the ministries of the Church; however, alongside his other priestly duties, he vigorously pursued social justice and lived in solidarity with the struggling poor. While desig-nated as vicar-general of the Diocese of Catarman, he also served as the chairperson of the Promotion of Church People’s Response-Northern Samar as well as a regional council member of Promotion of Church Peo-ple’s Response-Eastern Visayas and KATUNGOD-Sinirangan Bisayas (KARAPATAN).
Meanwhile, Luis Jalandoni has faithfully served as chief peace negotiator for the NDFP for several decades. As a former priest, Jalandoni still emulates Christian values and a dignity of conduct from which many Filipinos could learn. Despite principled differences with the Duterte government or any GRP administration before this, Jalandoni has never been observed to behave in so-called “terroristic” ways. His soft-spoken speech and respectful interactions with others are an outward manifestation of an inner-discipline of upright and trans-formative conduct. While it is true that Jalandoni is an unabashed revolutionary, no indicators or true evidence has been shown that Luis Jalandoni has engaged in any act of terrorism.
These designations only prove our fears on the inherent dangers of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA2020). Rather than stopping terrorism, the law is more likely to be weaponized against legitimate public dissent and opposition, as has happened to Msgr. Cerbito. Even more, such unjust, unwarranted, and secretive terrorist designation by the Anti-Terrorism Council of Luis Jalandoni, and the entire NDFP for that matter, effectively undermines peacebuilding efforts, especially through peace negotiations. Peace Talks that address the roots of the armed conflict are still a better way; a negotiated political settlement between the NDFP and the GRP through Peace Talks is still the hope and clamor of peace advocates throughout the country.
We deplore the recent designation of Msgr. Cerbito as unfounded, merely on the basis of guilt by association. We can only extrapolate that manufactured testimonies of alleged rebel returnees under the custody of the AFP/PNP may have been used against Msgr. Cerbito. Circumstances surrounding such witnesses render their affidavits highly questionable, biased, and unreliable.
The possibilities loom for any Filipino Church leader engaged in human rights ministry to be designated as a terrorist under ATA2020. We stand with Msgr. Cerbito to fight this designation. Filipinos should continue to assert our democratic rights to work for social justice and struggle to overcome the oppressive and exploitative conditions present in many local contexts. It would be unconscionable to allow those who stand for justice to be demonized as terrorists. The militarists in government seek to steal our freedom, criminalize our right to dissent, and weaken our democracy. We say NO to red-tagging, terrorist designation and tyranny!
Uphold human rights! Remove terrorist designation of Msgr. Walter Cerbito! Junk the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020! Stop the terrorist designation of revolutionaries! Resume GRP-NDFP Peace Talks!
Signed by:
CHURCH LEADERS
- Most Revd. Rhee M Timbang, Obispo Maximo IFI (Pilgrims for Peace Convenor)
- Most Revd. Deogracias Iñiguez, Bishop Emeritus of Kalookan, Roman Catholic Church
- Bp. Ciriaco Q. Francisco, Manila Episcopal Area, UMC
- Bp. Melzar Labuntog, General Secretary, UCCP
- Bp. Reuel N.O. Marigza, General Secretary, NCCP
- Rt. Revd. Dindo Ranojo, General Secretary, Ecumenical Bishops Forum
- Rt. Revd. Felixberto Calang, Sowing the Seeds of Peace
- Bp. Daniel Palicte, Exodus for Just Peace
- Rt. Revd. Mervin Elimanco, IFI, Bishop of Samar
- Bp. Jerby Salor, UCCP, East Visayas Jurisdictional Area
- Bp. Emelyn G. Dacuycuy, IFI, Diocese of Batac
- Bp. Ligaya Francisco, UCCP, NorthWest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area
- Bp. Solito Toquero, Bishop Emeritus, UMC
- Bp. Ebenezer C. Camino, Bishop Emeritus, UCCP
- Msgr. Meliton B. Oso, Director of Jaro Archdiocean Social Action Center, ARCHDIOCESE OF JARO, RC
- Very Revd. Gilbert G. Garcia, IFI Tarlac
- Rev. Juliet Solis-Aguilar, Conference Minister, United Metropolis, UCCP
- Fr. Rolly de Leon, Promotion of Church People’s Response
- Rev. Mary Grace Masegman, Promotion of Church People’s Response
- Dr. Muriel Orevillo-Montengro, Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform
- Religious Sisters of Mercy-Philippines
- Ecumenical Bishops Forum
- Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB
- Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM
- Sr. Eleanor Llanes, ICM
- Fr. Flavie L. Villanueva, SVD, JPIC Coordinator, SVD Central Province
- Fr. Manuel Gatchalian, SVD
- Jonel Dalimag, CICM
- Fr. Rico Ponce, O. Carm.
- Fr. Paul Medina, O. Carm.
- Fr. Aris D. Miranda, M.I., Director, Camillian Disaster Service International, Rome, ITALY
- Sr. Susan Esmile, SFIC
- Sr. Miriam R. Alejandrino, OSB, Congregation of Benedictine Sisters of the Eucharistic King
- Sr. Odilia Bulayungan,OSB
- Sr. Edita Eslopor, OSB
- Fr. Benjamin Alforque, MSC
- Fr. Eugene Canete, MJ (Missionaries of Jesus)
- Fr. Men Natividad
- Sr. Letty De Los Santos, RSM
- Sr. Alicia Andres, RGS, WJPIC Link, Phil. Province of the Good Shepherd
- Sr. Minela Alvarez, RGS
- Sr. Digna Dacanay, RSCJ
- Sr. Ma. Liza Ruedas, DC
- Sr. Ma. Arabella Balingao, RGS
- Sr. Ma. Juanita R. Daño, RGS
- Sr. Mary Aida Casambre, RGS
- Sr. Rebecca Pacete, MMS
- Sr. Rosa Ocampo, sfcc (Sisters for Christian Community)
- St. Sebastian Martyr Parish, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija
- Dss. Norma P. Dollaga, KASIMBAYAN
- Ma. Liza A. Cortez, Asunscion Perez, Memorial Center, Inc.
- Jon Dave Angeles, Kalipunan ng Kristianong Kabataan
- Rev. Rey Gelloagan, President, UCCP Church Workers Organization
- Jezreel Vallente, Christian Youth Fellowship-UCCP
- Dr. Edith Burgos, Ecuvoice
- Rev. Callum Tabada, UP-Church of the Risen Lord
- Rev. Noel E. Bordador, The Episcopal Church
- Rev. Dr. Lizette Tapia-Raquel, Associate Professor, Union Theological Seminary, Philippines
- Dr. Marita Wasan, Diocese of Antipolo, Roman Catholic Church
- Bb. Kakay M. Pamaran, Faculty, Union Theological Seminary
- Rev. Homar Rubert R. Distajo, UCCP
- Rev. Irma Balaba, UCCP
- Rev. Marie Sol Villalon, UMC
- Pastor Maricar Delfun, Association of Women in Theology
- Jennifer Ferariza-Meneses, Association of Women in Theology
- Koko Alviar, Ramento Project for Rights Defenders
- Rev. Glofie G. Baluntong- NIM Justice and Peace-Manila Episcopal Area, UMC
- Dss. Rubylin Litao, Rise Up for Life and for Rights
- Rebecca Lawson, Coordinator, Pilgrims for Peace
- Rev. Ritchie Masegman, Spokesperson, Pilgrims for Peace
CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS
- Prof. Mike Pante, ACT for Peace
- Bibeth Orteza, Concerned Artists of the Philippines
- Dr. Judy Taguiwalo, Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacanang (CARMMA)
- Prof. Temario C. Rivera, Chair, Center for People Empowerment and in Governance (CenPEG)
- Krix San Gabriel, Concerned Artists of the Philippines
- Jina Umali, UP Center for International Studies
- Atty. Tony La Viña, Manila Observatory
- Atty. Ephraim Cortez, Secretary General, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
- Teddy Casiño, former Bayan Muna congressman
- Liza Maza, former Secretary/Lead Convenor, NAPC
- Satur C. Ocampo, President, Makabayan Coalition & Bayan Muna
- Jonallin Yang, Sec Gen, AGHAM-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People
- Gertrudes R. Libang, Chairperson, GABRIELA Alliance of Filipino Women
- Robert Mendoza, President, Alliance of Health Workers
- Dr. Edelina P. De la Paz, President, Health Action for Human Rights,
- Albert Pascual, Secretary General, Health Alliance for Democracy
- Clark Anthony Trovela, President, Philippine Medical Student Association (PMSA)
- Amirah Lidasan, MCPA Secretary General
- Julieta Java, MCPA Coordinator
- Kakay Tolentino, BAI IP Women Network Coordinator
- Rei Paulin, Katribu Nat’l Coordinator
- Maureen Loste, SANDIWA
- Joey C. Papa, Bangon Kalikasan Movement
- Mae Paner, Founder, Juana Change Movement
- Gloria Arellano, KADAMAY National Chairperson
- Estrelieta Bagasbas, KADAMAY, National Vice Chairperson
- Eufemia Doringo, KADAMAY, Secretary General
- Vergel and Chit Santos
- Dr. Carol Araullo, Convenor, Kapayapaan
- Center to Trade Union and Human Rights
Reference:
Most Revd. Rhee M. Timbang, Obispo Maximo, IFI
Convenor, Pilgrims for Peace
pilgrims.peace.phils@gmail.com 0915-379-3675 FB @PilgrimsForPeacePH
