ON THE RESUMPTION OF THE PEACE TALKS

August 24, 2016

ON THE RESUMPTION OF THE PEACE TALKS

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

For over four (4) decades now, the armed conflict between the government of the Philippines and the New People’s Army CPP/NDFP had been disturbing the Filipino people especially those in the peripheral areas of the countrysides. Such conflict had, in fact, caused the senseless death of countless Filipinos.

As a Church, the UCCP unequivocally affirms the wisdom of the Scriptures “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” (Romans 14:19)

Hence, we laud the efforts of no less than President Rodrigo R. Duterte on the resumption of peace negotiation between the government and the CPP-NDFP and other armed groups precisely to address the decades-long problem of unpeace in the country and finally put an end to the horror of armed hostilities.

Even as we say this, we also reiterate our earlier pronouncement as a Church,

“Genuine peace comes when justice is served.

• For as long as peasants remain landless,
• For as long as laborers do not receive just wages,
• For as long as we are politically and economically dominated by foreign nations,
• For as long as we channel more money to the military than to basic social services,
• For as long as the causes of social unrest remain untouched,

… there will be no peace.”

(Peacemaking: Our Ministry, August 21, 1986)

In our desire to be true to our calling, we emphatically declare our resolve to support the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDFP. Resumption of peace talks is necessary to conjointly arrive at an agreement that addresses the root causes of conflicts. There may be hurdles or complications along the way, but that is precisely the reasons why peace negotiation is necessary.

We therefore support the on-going formal peace talks between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDFP that the genuine and lasting peace our people so ardently yearn for may finally be attained.

On behalf of the UCCP National Council,

UCCP COUNCIL OF BISHOPS

Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza
General Secretary

Bishop Elorde M. Sambat
North Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Emergencio D. Padillo
Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Joel E. Tendero
South Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Jaime M. Moriles
East Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Jezer E. Bertoldo
West Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog
Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Hamuel G. Tequis
Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishops Emeritus:
Bishop Arturo R. Asi
Bishop Isaias L. Bingtan
Bishop Elmer M. Bolocon
Bishop Erme R. Camba
Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino
Bishop Constante D. Claro
Bishop Gabriel A. Garol
Bishop Hilario M. Gomez, Jr.
Bishop Marino I. Inong
Bishop Osias B. Jaim
Bishop Juan A. Marigza
Bishop Roel P. Mendoza
Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua
Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose
Bishop Anacleto Serafica
Bishop Jessie S. Suarez
Bishop Rizalino Q. Taganas
Bishop Modesto Villasanta

For downloadable copy of this statement, just click on the link: Statement on Peace Talks