‘Deliver Us from Persecution’

Lighting red and white candles of protest, activists and civil libertarians remembered those who were “persecuted and put to death because they chose to live a life of service of the people.”

BY Lino D. Interino III
Bulatlat

Quezon City – Holding roses and candles of red and white colors, some 300 civil libertarians and activists gathered May 13 at the Hardin ng mga Diwata (Garden of Muses) in front of the Faculty Center building of the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

IFI Supreme Bishop Tomas Millamena recites prayer asking for deliverance from persecution (left), as activists light candles for justice at the Hardin ng mga Diwata, UP Diliman, May 12

Grief and anger filled the air as the participants recalled murdered human rights workers, lawyers and activists, most of whom were their friends and comrades and which now number 37 from January to May this year alone.

The activity started at past 4 p.m. and soon, the sun dipped down. The participants lit candles which they said signified the cry for justice for the lost lives of those who fought for freedom against the injustices of political repressions.

“Stop the killings and harassments of activists, journalists, church workers and lawyers! Bring the perpetrators to justice! Scrap the measures that curtail civil liberties!” were the cries heard in the activity dubbed as Prayer-Gathering and Candle Light Service for the Victims of Political Repression.

It started with the offering of red and white roses as tribute to those who were victims of political repression, participated in by progressive organizations such as Bayan Muna (People First), National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), among others. In the vicinity were the streamers that read, “Stop the killing.” There were also pictures of victims: 32 were killed, seven were abducted and remain missing and five were victims of frustrated killings. A total of 44 were persecuted.

“Today, we light red and white candles of protests as we remember those who were persecuted and put to death because they chose to live a life of service of the people,” said Bishop Tomas Millamena, Obispo Maximo of Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI, or Philippine Independent Church) in a prayer entitled “Deliver Us From Persecution.”

“We light red and white candles of protest as we condemn the series of killings and repression among leaders and members of progressive organizations. They are farmers, workers, teachers, professionals, lawyers, human rights advocates, journalists, indigenous peoples, church people, students and youth. They have only one thing in common: they all pursued the cause of justice, truth and peace,” the prelate added.

Activists and civil libertarians listen to testimonies of survivors at the Garden of Muses

Some survivors of attacks and some colleagues of the victims gave testimonies. Two of them were Concepcion de Luna, Western Samar provincial board member, and Alden Ambida, Bayan Muna Eastern Visayas coordinator.                Roman Polintan, secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN or New Patriotic Alliance) – Central Luzon scored the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the killings and harassments. Bulatlat

Photos by Arkibong Bayan

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