(We yield this space to the statement of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform due to its timeliness. – Ed.)
WE ARE saddened by the passing of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (House Bill 6875) by the House of Representatives. We are concerned that the Bill will greatly impact on the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Our alarm stems from the recent practice of using the terms “Terrorist” and “Terrorist Groups” loosely and indiscriminately in defining enemies of the State and in derailing peace negotiations. Several humanitarian and civil society organizations, including our member confederation, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, have been tagged as such, placing them in grave threat.
At a pivotal moment in the possible return to the peace talks on Dec. 5, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army a terrorist organization, beginning an era of referencing the NDFP a communist terrorist group and closing the door to peace talks.
PEPP upholds the primacy of principled peace negotiations to end the ongoing armed conflict. House Bill 6875 only gives further legitimacy to the criminalization of expressions of freedom and democracy and will translate into more repression in the short term and more violence in the long term.
At a time of great national humanitarian crisis when the country is faced by a pandemic that threatens everyone and when the reality of hunger and other health concerns stalk the people in ways never before experienced, it is the call for national unity against the pandemic and its serious long-term implications that is more urgent.
At times like these, the Anti-Terrorism Bill will not serve to end the conflicts of our land. The meager resources of government are most needed not for anti-terror expenditures but for setting and re-building the economic and social structures that everyone needs as we fight the pandemic before us.
As Christian leaders, our opposition to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is based on our enduring call for broader peace – a peace that is not silencing voices of dissent and the incarceration and destruction of lives that are defined as terrorists but a peace that addresses the root causes of dissent and seeks resolution by negotiation. This call reflects our deep affinity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who speaks of a people, a nation, a brotherhood and sisterhood that is called to settle disputes in peaceful dialogue. Jesus teaches us that where there is conflict, “first be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gifts.” (Matthew 5:24).
