The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) welcomes the recent communication from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Mme. Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin to the Philippine Government addressing the concerning state of human rights in the country. This was only made public this week.
The letter underscores critical issues related to the misuse of counter-terrorism measures that restrict freedom of expression, particularly impacting the legitimate activities of human rights defenders serving the most vulnerable communities and individuals. It highlighted the imperative for the Philippine government to uphold its international obligations, emphasizing that counter-terrorism measures must not impede in the essential work of human rights defenders in attending to and providing services for the marginalized.
The NCCP has actively contributed to this discourse by submitting detailed letters of allegations to specific Special Rapporteurs. These reports brought attention to egregious cases involving the violation of rights of numerous human rights defenders, including church people, who have faced red-tagging, judicial harassment, targeted financial sanctions, asset freezing, and other administrative sanctions.
The reported cases specifically involve church leaders and humanitarian workers committed to aiding the most impoverished communities. Examples include the Anti-Terrorism Law case filed against Rev. Glofie Baluntong, a United Methodist Church Superintendent in Mindoro; the unjust incarceration of UCCP Pastors Rev. Nathanael Vallente and Pastor Jimmy Teves in the Visayas; the IHL case against NCCP Staff Peti Enriquez; the red-tagging of Rev. Edwin Egar (UCCP) who was later also charged with violation of the ATL; the red-tagging of Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental; and the harassment case of Bishop Antonio Ablon of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) in Mindanao.
Furthermore, the NCCP drew attention to the freezing of assets of the UCCP Haran Center in Davao, which serves vulnerable indigenous communities in Mindanao, and the freezing of the account of UCCP Fatima in Bohol, and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines that serve poor farmers and communities in far-flung areas. The report also highlighted harassment of humanitarian workers by the military while doing relief distribution in remote and underserved areas.
In the spirit of thinking and doing what is pleasing to God (Philippians 6:8-9), the NCCP is one with Mme. Fionnuala Ní Aoláin in her call to the Philippine Government to address these serious allegations promptly, ensuring the protection and promotion of human rights for all its citizens. The NCCP also commends the other special mandates who joined Mme. Ní Aoláin in the communication – Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Clement Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; José Francisco Cali Tzay, Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples; and Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.
Signed:
19 January 2024
Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog
Chairperson
The Most Rev. Brent Harry W. Alawas
Vice-Chairperson
Ms. Jennifer Ferrariza-Meneses
Vice-Chairperson
Pastor Jon Dave A. Angeles
Vice Chairperson
Rev. Leonardo R. Morada
Treasurer
Ms. Minnie Anne M. Calub
General Secretary
