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College Editors Guild of the Philippines(CEGP)
March 14, 2005
Attention: All tertiary student publications in MindanaoFrom: The Vice President for Mindanao of the National Executive CommitteeSubject: Initial Invitations for National Council Meeting and the National Convention
Mapagpalayang Pagbati mga Guilders!
Come May 23 – 29 the College Editors Guild of the Phillipppines will be holding the 65th National Student Press Convention in Cagayan de Oro City.
With this, I am encouraging every publication and all interested individuals to start preparing for this event. Registration fee is estimated to be pegged at around 2,400 pesos (based on last year's registration fee in Cebu) while we are still waiting for the first wave of formal invitation and while we are still working on the venue and other preparations
According to our local host in Cagayan de Oro City, it would be possible that the venue of the coming convention will be held outside the city, the farthest though, I was told, is in Misamis Oriental.
A week or so before the convention, will be the four-day National Council meeting. This is a regular gathering of all officers, coordinators of the guild from its formations nationwide where assessments and planning are done for the guild. All officers and coordinators are also advised to prepare for this activity. The venue will still be in CDO, unless of course, a nearby chapter or formation is willing to accommodate this meeting.
All formations and chapters are encouraged to disseminate this information to all publications, including non-members.
I am hoping for the response, affirmative or negative, of all concerned.
Thank you very much!
For the advancement of campus press freedom,
Paulo DumayacVice President for MindanaoCEGP National Executive Committee
NOTE: We are welcoming those are interested and willing to volunteer or offer any help to the local secretariat of the National Convention local host.Please contact 09195378855 (parh)
College Editors Guild of the Philippines - Mindanao
Contact us: 09195378855Email: [email protected] Groups: [email protected]
Issue #1 January 2005
CONTENTS
Let Us Rise Up From the RubblesSolidarity Messages for the Tsunami VictimsSCMs Take Part in 56th Worldwide UDHR CommemorationCivilian Casualties Mounts in Ensuing US Occupation of IraqURGENT ACTION on the Brutal Killing of SCM Philippines Senior Friend Joel Baclao
Let Us Rise Up From the RubblesAs I write the very first issue of our regional e-newsletter on our human rights work entitled Solidarity, it pains me so much to realize that the topic I am about to write will be the story of many people who lost their loved ones, homes and livelihood as they became victim of the tsunamis that hit the region last December 26, 2004.
The World Student Christian Federation Asia Pacific region (WSCF-AP) is in unity with the whole world in extending its deepest sympathies to the people of Aceh, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Somalia and other countries who suffered big losses as a result of the December 26 tsunamis.
The tsunamis were created by an earthquake at the bottom of the eastern part of the Indian Ocean that measures 8.9 in the Richter Scale, the strongest in the last 40 years. Two weeks after the tsunamis, more than 155,000 are estimated to have died.
The massive loss of lives could have been avoided considering that methods and technology for detecting tsunamis are inexpensive and have been widely available as early as fifty years ago. While in some countries like India, the government was already warned on a possible tsunami but did not do anything. In the final analysis, the governments are also accountable for failing to set up such devices and to take proper measures on time that are responsible for the hundreds of thousands of deaths. The cruel destruction of our forests has also aggravated the situation, thus, leaving us a painful lesson.
Another grave disregard was shown by the United States government when it did not warn countries regarding its suspicion of a tsunami formation in the Indian Ocean while it has promptly advised it’s military base in Diego Garcia, located in the heart of the Indian Ocean. The international community even criticized the US for donating a measly amount of $18 million dollar compared to the $1.5 billion daily budget it spent for its war and aggression. It has belatedly raised this to $350 million after receiving international pressures.
Nevertheless, I am still moved by how our federation, specially the national movements promptly carried out efforts and extended all they could to assist the survivors of the tragedy by coordinating relief operations and rehabilitation work, and working with international civilian relief agencies. The
SCM in India, Sri Lanka and Thailand have organized relief missions while many members are selflessly volunteering their time and energy.
Meanwhile, the AP region has organized several emergent aid works to rebuild the communities and SCMs in Indonesia, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand. The Federation is about to release the EAP Emergency grant to those SCMs for relief food, water, medicine and clothes, and the Asia Pacific region is mobilizing youth and students to rebuild the villages, schools and other basic facilities in the communities.
“But beyond relief giving and charity, we are still posed with a challenge to address the stark and fundamental problems and “calamities created by human” that generate poverty and human suffering that is a thousand-fold stronger and enduring than natural calamities.”
Nature’s force that brings calamity is not a daily occurrence, but the people’s of Asia Pacific, whom the majority are submerged in the daily suffering from poverty and evil effects of globalization, continue to live in the catastrophic era of injustice and inequality.
My grief turned to optimism as I see the federation responded as it ought to do, which is to practice the essence of being a Christian servant in the midst of hunger and grief. But beyond relief giving and charity, we are still posed with a challenge to address the stark and fundamental problems and “calamities created by human” that generate poverty and human suffering and is a thousand-fold stronger and enduring than natural calamities.
The year 2004 ended with grief, but let us all welcome this new year with revitalized commitment, stronger hope and genuine solidarity towards rebuilding our communities and a better world for our generation and the generations to come.
May the Lord of history always be with us in our struggle.
In solidarity,
Bayani Alonzo IIHuman Rights [email protected]
Solidarity Messages for the Tsunami Victims LETTER FROM LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN REGION
Buenos Aires,January 4th., 2005.
Dear Brothers and Sisters of WSCF Asia – Pacific,
Please receive our condolences from the Latin America and the Caribbean region, especially for those who have lost friends and families due to the effect of the tsunami. We have had in mind all the friends we made at the Chiang Mai General Assembly, and we felt the pain of those whose lives have been affected by this disaster. May the Lord be with you in this time of grief, and let us see how we can be helpful in the solidarity work the WSCF in AP and worldwide is being engaged.
Sgd. Horacio MesonesRegional SecretaryWSCF, Latin America and the Caribbean Region
MESSAGE FROM THE AFRICA REGION
Dear Udan, Shin, Nina and all,
The WSCF Africa-Region is deeply saddened by the untimely tragic disaster in Asia that has resulted to the loss of thousands of lives and damage of millions worth of property. We are praying for our SCM members and the entire community who have suffered and continue to suffer this disaster. May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ comfort them during this moment of deep sorrow.
Sgd. Georgine Kengne DjeutaneRegional SecretaryWSCF, Africa Region
LETTER FROM THE MIDDLE EAST REGION
Dear Friends in WSCF AP,
It is with great sorrow that we have received the news regarding Tsunami. We join you in prayers for the deceased and the missing ones. May the Lord grant all the SCMers in the affected countries the consolations for the loss of family or friends. May god bless you all.
Sgd. Elias El HalabiRegional SecretaryWSCF, Middle East Region
SCMs Take Part in 56th Worldwide UDHR Commemoration Last November, the WSCF AP has coordinated a worship guide and a letter encouraging the national movements to commemorate the 56th year founding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The UDHR is a landmark declaration stipulating the respect for the rights of the people from all walks of life regardless of race, belief, gender, ideology and nationality. Despite the distressful reality that some powerful signatories of this declaration are gross violators of the promulgated principles, it is thus more fitting to commemorate UDHR and continue the struggle to reclaim these rights.
Various SCMs celebrated the occasion in various ways and carrying different themes and focus. Here are some of the movements’ efforts and also the planned thrusts for year 2005:
CambodiaPeace Activist Camp (Dec. 10-12, 2004 at Kampong Thom Province, north of Phnom Penh)
The Cambodia Student Christian Mission (CSCM) has been actively involved with the Cambodia Peace Forum established by local and international NGO’s in our quest to address the social, political and religious plurality of issues that directly or indirectly focus on Peace.
At the end of the year, members of CSCM and other local Cambodian NGOs took part in a Peace Activist Camp with the focus of spreading information about the rights of the poor, women and children in a small village that suffered years of abuse from illegal logging companies stripping the villages of their natural resources by milling timber. The camp attended by around 600 people encouraged local activism to address and educate the participants and village about bringing peace within the communities.
In 2005, CSCM seeks to continue the work in Peace Activism as one of the main projects with issues as Gender Awareness, Just-Peace Activism, Interfaith Dialogue; Exposure Trips and future Networking with the local and international arena of NGO’s with similar focus.
India“Water is life, Water is a Right, Youth engagement with People’s Struggle!”
In a bid to see and understand how globalization affects the common people, a group from the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches, CSI- Karnatak Central Diocese, Student Christian Movement of India, youth groups from different faiths, made a trip to Plachimda situated in Kerala. Young people came in touch with reality as they listened to the woes of the people in the exposure area where the Coca Cola Company destroyed and exploited the water sources in Plachimada. Convinced that we have to fight against globalization, we organized a seminar on “Water is a Right, Water is life” and formed a group called ‘Youth Against Globalization’ and campaigns against privatization of water in different educational institutions. “The Campaign Against Privatization of water” is a collective comprising of people’s movements, NGO, environmental activists, SCM, Churches and affected communities in Bangalore.
Likewise, SCM organized Human Chain and public meeting on Human Rights Day in Bangalore where around 1,000 people gathered at M.G Road, most of them youth and raised voices against commodification and privatization of water. This campaign is to raise awareness and extend our solidarity with different people struggles like in Periyar, Bhavani, Sheonath, Kelo, Ganga canal, the Malampuzha Dam and against Coca Cola in Plachimada, Mehdiganj and Shivaganga.
Australia
Members of Australian SCM took part on the activities of such as the White Ribbon Day for combating violence against women and the celebration honouring Indigenous human rights activists included speeches and a candle lighting ceremony commemorating Indigenous human rights activists, followed by a BBQ with light entertainment organized by the NCC Australia.
Sri Lanka
SCM Sri lanka launched a Human Rights Day Programme 2004 held at the CIDA Education Devolopment Center, Hattton.( Central province ) from the 10-13 December. There were 40 students from all over the island who participated in the programme. The session included Bible Studies, Inputs, workshops and games in topics such as the need of celebrating the UDHR day, human rights violations in Sri Lanka and other issues related to Justice and Human dignity. The programme included probing human rights violations through a student's eye, our actions against human rights violations as reflecting through the Bible and sharing our experiences. Follow up on the Human rights programme were held in all SCMSL units in end of January 2005.
SCM Aoteroa“Decade to Overcome Violence Against Women and Children Campaign”
CCANZ launched the Dove Campaign against Women and Children campaign on the 25th of November and SCMA signed up to the campaign. We are in active solidarity and will do all within our powers to continue to conscientise the church on the paramount role of women as equal partners in society.
HR Day
On December 9, there were solidarity rallies attended by SCMers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. These were meant to coincide with Ahmed Zaoui’s bail application and the New Zealnaders’ clamor to investigate the NZ Secret Intelligence Service operations that curtail civil rights of the people like telephone bugging and other intrusive mechanisms.
PhilippinesTheme: “Reclaiming Human Rights for Justice and Peace”
The Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) launched a two-week photo-exhibit presenting the current human rights situation in the Philippines under the Macapagal-Arroyo government. The exhibit characterized by intensifying state terrorism and repression especially on the civil and political rights of the people was circulated among various churches and universities to promote awareness.
On December 9, SCMP and core organizations forming the Ecumenical Youth Forum held a film showing and forum on human rights highlighting the clamour for Justice to the farmers and workers of the Hacienda Luisita, which suffered the horrendous November 16 massacre of unarmed workers on strike perpetrated by the combined elements of the police and military. The forum attended by about 200 students, church youth and teachers culminated in a Human Chain and candle lighting in Manila.
SCMP mobilized students and church youth on the protest rally of about 10, 000 people in Manila and around 40, 000 nationwide. One of the demands and campaign of SCMP is calling for justice for slain senior friend Joel Baclao summarily executed in November 8, 2004.
Given the parts the SCMs have taken in the worldwide commemoration of the UDHR, we hope that everyday in the life of the federation is a sincere commitment to the advancement of the political, economic, social, religious rights for every person and people.
Expecting More than Divine Intervention
I admire the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for initiating backroom negotiations between the poor workers and despotic owners of Hacienda Luisita. I first thought of it as divine intervention, thinking that the Cojuangco family, publicly known as devout Catholic, might be pushed to consider doing justice by listening to the plight of the workers now that the Catholic Church is meddling.
Contrary to my expectation, the February 8 CBCP-initiated negotiation in Clark, Pampanga between the workers and the owners had reached to nothing but an attempt to end the strike by the Cojuanco’s by pushing the workers to return to work without giving in to their demands for a just wage and security. This is not justice in the making.
I believe that the P 9.50 weekly wage of the farm workers is very much inadequate for an individual to survive, and far worse for a family. Thus, an ample increase in their wages is but necessary and humane.
I still keep with me a copy of CBCP’s January 23 statement entitled, “Vince in Bono Malum (Overcome Evil with Good) where Archbishop Fernando Capalla even calls for true justice for the victims of the November 16, 2004 massacre and an impartial investigation that will identify and punish the perpetrators. He went as far as challenging his flock to “overcome the evil of economic poverty with the good of social justice where workers receive just wages.”
Reading it again makes me wonder how the CBCP can make the Cojuangco family give the workers the just wage they long deserve. How will justice be served to the seven souls murdered and hundreds injured last November 16, 2004, if the involved government agencies—PNP, AFP and DOLE--side with the Cojuangco family?
It seems that the oppressed farm workers of Hacienda Luisita need more than just a divine intervention of the CBCP. Thinking aloud, may be a more daring move from the Catholic Church. How about denying sacraments to the Cojuangco family?
My colleagues and I shall rally behind the good bishop for the realization of this challenge. Like the oppressed workers of Hacienda Luisita, we also long for social justice.
BAYANI ALONZO IIChairperson, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines
879 EDSA QC
NATIONAL CHURCH PEOPLE’S CONFERENCE ON MININGFebruary 8, 2005
BIBLICO THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Introduction
Have you heard about the beauteous Bathsheba, wife of the soldier, Uriah, who got King David all horney and excited that the King had to possess her? A story akin to big landlords exercising sexual power over daughters of their “sacadas”, using everything within their power to get what they want. Working from a position of superiority, they take advantage of the “weakness” of the peasants.
That story finds easy translation into our mining stories today. Bathsheba was all Uriah had. Our national resources are really all we, Filipinos, have. King David forcibly takes away Bathsheba from Uriah. Global powers deny us of the use of our forests, minerals, marine resources.
Transition
But I have a different story to tell. It is found in Genesis Chapter 12…..
The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s home, and go to a land that I am going to show you. I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will bless you and make your name famous, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you. But I will curse those who curse you, and through you I will bless all the nations. When Abram was 75 years old, he started out from Haran as the Lord had told him to do and Lot went with him. Abram took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the wealth and all the slaves they had acquired in Haran and they started out for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “This is the country that I am going to give to your descendants.” Then Abram built an altar there to the Lord.
For this journey, Abram is promised three things:
One. land which will ensure his physical well-being
Two. nationhood. God will make him the father of a great nation. Another way of saying: political sovereignty
Three. blessings. He will be showered with material possessions which he could use to serve other people.
MAIN THESES
I. What have become of our lands and the resources in them? The Mining Act of 1995 gave our lands to foreign mining firms. Contrary to what Honesto General claims, the disadvantages far more outweigh the advantages. From Lepanto to Mangkayan to Sipalay to Boac to Diwalwal to Siocon, we see nothing but…..
v Tons of mine wastes dumped on hillsides and valleys polluting the surface water bodies through bank and gully erosionv Water shortages due to water resource depletion even as such shortages deprive the local people of traditional medicines
v Massive dislocation and loss of livelihood for the peasants and national minorities who dwell in the upland areas where all these mining companies are locatedv An intensification of militarization as the people’s opposition gains momentum and steadily strengthens.
What has become of our nation? Our leaders have virtually sacrificed nationhood on the altar of imperialist globalization. We have been sheared of our right to be a sovereign nation. As a semi-colonial country, compounded by the President’s obsession for the Philippines to insert itself into the dehumanizing capitalist system, the essence of nationhood has been lost.
And material blessings? What blessings can the Filipinos speak of today when even the barest essentials have been snatched from their hands because globalization has designed a scheme that enriches the minority and impoverishes the majority?
II. The Mining Act of 1995 and the Mineral Action Plan remind me of Jesus’ sermon on the mount as recorded by Matthew. Jesus here speaks about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. Many sermons would have us know that Matthew 6:28-29 is an admonition for us to trust in God. “Do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive. After all, isn’t the body worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds, they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put in barns, yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds? And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow; they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers.” I want to say that the Biblical passage says more than trust in God. By referring to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, Jesus was referring to a life style of simplicity. Birds and flowers live simply. They do not worry about clothing themselves with GUESS or GIORDANO or VERSACE. They do not worry about whether their food comes from Aristocrat or Max. The reason people plunder the environment is because they want more profit to support an expensive life style. That life style includes lording it over other people, classes, and countries. An expensive life style makes us addicted to THINGS. One’s prosperity is measured by the things he/she has accumulated. This addiction to things causes us to relate to people as things, as instruments, as objects, as tools for our selfish benefit. Need we talk about the Cojuangcos and the workers of Hacienda Luisita?
Protecting and defending our land and our life is, for me, a deeply spiritual act. But it is a spirituality that is perceived in a much broader sense. It is not a narrow and individualistic pietism because concern for our environment brings us into contact with the planet earth: its dynamisms, relationships, structures and systems. In caring for the world, we begin to see what the people’s situation is: their problems, their hopes and aspirations, their struggles. Knowing these, we become involved in their lives. This concern directs us to work to change social and economic conditions that threaten life.
Finally, in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:9-12), God asks Cain where his brother is. This is not a mere question of location. Notice that God’s second question is: What have you done to your brother? Persons are keepers of each other; caring for one another because they are interdependent. When this interdependence is broken, it is the ground that cries out to God (vs. 10). “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the GROUND…..” When our relationship with our sisters and brothers is characterized by a relationship of envy, selfishness and of greed, surely our relationship with God’s creation will become a relationship of destruction and exploitation. Why did the US pressure the Philippines into signing the Parity Rights Agreement which allowed the US to exploit our natural resources? Why are foreign mining companies coercing our
leaders to approve FTAA’s? Isn’t it their greed and profit motive that push them to ravage our mountains and forests? Conversely, when our relationship with our sisters and brothers is one of concern, no doubt, we will also care for the earth because we do not wish for them to live in a situation that is unfriendly and hostile to them.
Cain’s sin had consequences upon nature. His act of murder alienated him from the GROUND so that when he tilled the soil, it would no longer be productive. Therefore, we destroy our sisters and brothers by allowing their land to be taken away from them…..if we do not join them in their vehement and relentless protest against the Mining Act of 1995 and the Mineral Action Plan, and all other unequal and repressive treatises and laws. The foreign mining firms which are applying for FTAA’s and those which are already operating in the Cordillera, in Mindanao, and in parts of the Visayas, destroy not only our forests and mountains. They commit an oppressive act against the national minorities and the farmers. The mining operations, as practiced by these foreign mining companies, are a sin against our children for the minerals which they extract are non-renewable. (I wish to God that Peter Wallace and Honesto General see this.) Our children and children’s children will, someday have to get by with little or nothing at all.
Conclusion
Fighting as a people to be politically and economically free from imperialist powers, is also fighting to free our forests, our mountains, our bodies of water, our minerals from the clutches of those whose only aim in life is to accumulate profit. When we shall have been liberated from the economic and political bonds that long have bound us, our land will also be free. Then and only then will our future be secured. Then and only then will we know what it really means to be a nation, enjoying God’s blessings in the land we can call our own.
MS. SHARON ROSE JOY RUIZ-DUREMDESGeneral SecretaryNational Council of Churches in the Philippines