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JUSTICE FOR KIAN AND ALL VICTIMS OF THE ILLEGAL DRUG INDUSTRY

August 28, 2017

JUSTICE FOR KIAN AND ALL VICTIMS OF THE ILLEGAL DRUG INDUSTRY

Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right. Isaiah 10: 1-2a

The Christian Youth Fellowship expresses its deepest condolences to the Family of Kian Delos Santos and to all families whose members have been killed in the war on drugs.

Kian, 17 years old, was gunned down by policemen due to alleged involvement in drugs. As of now, investigations are still on-going on Kian’s case. Whether Kian is involved in drugs or not is not a matter for us to decide on, but the rule of law must be observed however, the death of Kian is a sad fact that needs to be justified. Our country has enshrined in our Bill of Rights, to afford due process to everyone and being a minor in conflict with the law, Kian rests on a special case. Among others, Kian was put to death by the law enforcers. It was not an issue from the drug users which we have long been bombarded with but rather from the law enforcers, that is very alarming. In the eyes of the law, everyone is afforded due process. Due process affords anyone a lawful arrest where no violence or unnecessary force is used, where the person arrested must not be subjected to a greater restraint than what is needed. Kian was a minor, he was put to death, now we don’t think that is necessary. Thus the Christian Youth Fellowship would want to voice out our stand.

The Christian Youth Fellowship, a youth organization of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines supports the initiatives and efforts of the government and civil society in addressing the problem of the prevalent Illegal Drug Industry. We condemn such industry and shun drug abuse and addiction. The negative effects of drugs on individuals, families, and communities are inimical to our society’s welfare and development and these must be seriously addressed. We are distressed by the victims of drug abuse and by those whose lives and dreams have been shattered due to drugs. Thus, we agree with the administration when they said that this Drug Trade must be stopped.

However, we are gravely bothered by the overwhelming number of deaths (approximately 7,000 according to a report by Human Rights Watch), the serious magnitude of human rights violations, and the manner in which the rule of law is continuously being disregarded in the name of war on drugs. The rampant killings and other injustices in this war must not go unwarranted. The rule of law must be observed, thus we call for transparency and equality in the application of due process. Truth and equality before the law must prevail. We express our strong desire to end the industry of illegal drugs but not in the manner that disregards the very principles that protect and honour the sacredness of life. Violence only begets violence and those who choose draw the sword will perish by the sword (Matthew 26:52).

The Christian Youth Fellowship through this statement manifests our faithfulness and commitment to our Principles as stated in our Constitution: 

Article II


Section 2. The CYF commits itself to the total development of the youth for more responsive and 
effective leadership and service in the CYF, Church and the society.


Section 3. The CYF exists for the service of the youth, in particular, and of the people in general, for the glory of God.

The Christian Youth Fellowship upholds the dignity of all individuals as we are all created by God in God’s own image, fearfully and wonderfully made. We believe in the principles of human rights as these protect the integrity of each individual’s God given life. We believe in Christ’ Gospel of Love and in His teachings that preach humility, justice, and peace. We believe that Christ gave His life for all (John 3:16). We continue to uphold His mission of reconciliation and redemption. Each individual who expresses the desire to change must be given the chance to be renewed. It is not our position to judge but we have the responsibility to uphold life according to the principles of justice and love.

We call on the CYF to build awareness on this issue. We must look into credible sources of information as we study this problem and conduct discussions in all platforms available, in the social media, our Bible Studies and Sunday Schools. Let us open our churches and lead people to the redeeming love of Christ. Let us coordinate with our local governments, ecumenical and interfaith partners on how we could further increase awareness on the ill effects of this Illegal Drug Industry and how we may rehabilitate those who have experienced drug abuse and addiction and who have been involved in drugs. Let us help them in renewing their lives— to lives lived to the full in the service of God and the community .

Let us fervently include in our prayers for lawlessness to end and for the restoration of peace based on justice in our country. Let us pray that God’s wisdom will guide our leaders and all of us as well as we continue to collectively journey in upholding truth, human dignity, and God’s gift of life and redemption.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

CHRISTIAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP 

The Christian Youth Fellowship Unity Statement on the Struggles & the Upholding of the Rights of the Marginalized Sector

5th National Youth Camp Staff

We, the Christian Youth Fellowship, the youth organization of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, believe in the authority of the Divine Being, that God created every individual in God’s likeness and being (Genesis 1:26-27). And that being created in the Divine’s likeness and being, each individual is entitled to live a life of dignity, to realize their potentials, and enjoy life in its fullness. 

We invoke our duties as members of the Christian Youth Fellowship stated in the CYF Constitution and By Laws Article 2, Sections 3 and 4. We sustain that the CYF “exists for the service of the youth, in particular, and of the people in general, for the glory of God”. And that the “CYF lives its life in the mission: bringing good news to the poor, giving light to the blind, freedom for the captive and oppressed, food for the hungry and proclaiming creation’s future (Luke 4:18-19, RSV).” 

We have witnessed the structural violence inflicted by government instrumentalities and their collaboration with private actors in forwarding personal interests in expense of their duties and responsibilities as protectors of the rights and welfare of the Filipino People. We have witnessed first-hand how the interests of affluent groups and individuals have been privileged over the constitutional rights of the marginalized. 

We have witnessed the usurpation of land among the inhabitants of Bacoor, Cavite, of Tartaria, Silang Cavite, of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, of Sitio Kabute, Calamba, Laguna, of Victoria Laguna, of Lemery Batangas, of Sitio Balakbakan, San Juan, Batangas, of Nasugbu, Batangas and of Calaca, Batangas. Citizens of these areas have been experiencing intimidation, harassment, and other human rights violations from certain groups, individuals and government agencies. They face the threat of demolition without just compensation and equitable alternatives. The inhabitants of the aforementioned areas also lack access to vital public services imperative to their health and overall well-being. We uphold that land distribution is a vital source of subsistence where citizens can meet their needs and further fulfill their aspirations. We strongly believe that the government should abide by its duty to distribute resources equitably and protect the vulnerable members of its citizenry. 

We have heard the stories of exploitation from the workers of Canlubang, Laguna and Sampalok, Batangas. Their wages do not meet the living expenses needed to live everyday with dignity. They are cut off from other benefits that merit the work they rendered. We stand in solidarity with the workers in their call for just wages, job security, and humane working environment.  

We have listened to the narratives of the Aetas in Puting Kahoy, Rosario, San Juan, Batangas. Their sense of identity and their traditional cultural practices are compromised for the need to integrate themselves to modern economic structures in able to survive. 

We have seen the struggles of the Lumads brought by armed conflicts and systematic militarization. We call on for a peaceful resolution of conflicts where the rights, welfare, and future of civilians are not precluded and violated. We call on for the resumption of peace talks and that all parties involved should compromise in the name of just and lasting peace where first and foremost, the social, political, and economic rights of every Filipino citizen regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, and class are upheld. 

We work together with the members of the LGBTQI and with people living with Sexually Transmitted Infections in creating a more compassionate community for all regardless of sex, gender, and sexual orientation. We are emphatic to their cause for the recognition of their status as equal citizens with full enjoyment of their rights. We are open to all efforts and partnerships with the members of their community in creating awareness for their cause towards a more inclusive and non-discriminating society. 

We condemn all forms and sources of oppression, exploitation, and human rights violations, be it through outright violence or through the destruction of cultural identities of Indigenous People. We call on the review of developmental projects either initiated by the government or private actors. And we demand the immediate preclusion of these projects if found inimical to the principles of justice and human rights as stipulated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the UN Declaration of Human Rights. 

We, the Christian Youth Fellowship, are enjoining our members to re-examine our faith principles and everyday actions. We must inhibit ourselves from behaviours and habits that help perpetuate systems of oppression, discrimination, and exclusion. We are expressing our abhorrence to the culture of consumerism, materialism, and individualism that maintains the system of exploitation. We must be mindful of the goods and services that we consume, taking into consideration the experiences of the workers who have laboured for the production and rendering of consumer goods and services. Bear in mind that we are created in a community with other persons and with all creation (UCCP Statement of Faith). We must be sensitive to the negative implications of our actions to the other members of the oikoumene. We call on the CYF to uphold a life consistent with the UCCP Statement of Faith and the CYF Constitution and By Laws. We shall follow the teachings and principles of our Lord Jesus Christ whose life is a testimony of dauntless and selfless service so that all may enjoy the fullness of life. 

We, the Christian Youth Fellowship, are rekindling our commitment in serving our community. We conjure our members to engage in the concerns and issues of our communities and of society at large.  We are raging a revolution, a revolution of the heart and the spirit, a revolution of consciousness and culture against evil and oppressive political, economic, and social structures. We are making this radical change, from a world of selfishness and greed, we shall strive to become channels of love and compassion. We are taking radical steps to transform an unjust society to one filled with hope and peace. It is in this endeavour that we enjoin the members of the CYF: to become beacons of light, to be vessels of love, to be ambassadors of Shalom, to be images of goodness, the image of God in the service of all His creation.   

We, who have seen the light, will now give light to a dimming world. And we will endure it.

United Church of Christ in the Philippines- Christian Youth Fellowship, 5^th National Youth Camp 

Philippine Christian University- Union Theological Seminary, 

Pala-pala, Dasmariñas, Cavite

May 20, 2017

BUHAY SI KRISTO, NGAYON AT KAILANMAN, PARA SA KAPAYAPAAN

BUHAY SI KRISTO, NGAYON AT KAILANMAN, PARA SA KAPAYAPAAN

By Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza

Texts:  Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 3:4-18

Christ is risen!  He is risen, indeed!

That is how the early Christians greeted each other.  One would say, “Christ is risen,” and the other would reply, “He is risen, indeed!”

Let us try that. Take hold of a partner. The one on the right will say, “Christ is risen!” and the one on the left will respond, “He is risen, indeed!”  On my signal, those on the right, now!

Maiba naman tayo.  Gamitin natin ang ating tema ngayong Resurrection Sunday. Yung nasa kaliwa naman ang mauuna at sasabihing, “Buhay si Kristo ngayon at kailanman!”  At yung nasa kanan ay sasagot ng “Para sa kapayapaan!”

Mahina yata, para tayong mga bagong gising na mga alagad sa pagdating ng mga babaing nauna ng gumising at pumunta na sa libingan ng Panginoon at natagpuang wala na Siya doon. Ulitin natin ng may conviction at katiyakan.  Sa mga nasa kaliwa:  “Buhay si Kristo ngayon at kailanman!”  At yung nasa kanan: “Para sa kapayapaan!”

Tutuo, mga kapatid, padagundungin natin sa buong mundo:  “Buhay si Kristo ngayon at kailanman para sa kapayapaan!”  Amen!?

After Jesus was arrested by a composite team, tortured, mocked, crucified; after he died and was laid in the tomb, his followers were terrified and fearful for their lives. If they could do those horrible things to their Master, a popular and respected prophet and teacher, would it be far-fetch that they come after his followers next?

The followers were dismayed and dejected.  Wasn’t Jesus the foretold Messiah?  The promised Liberator of his people from their foreign colonizers?  They pinned their hopes on him, left their jobs, their families and homes on the vision that the longed-for kongdom of God would be established soon as was prophesied by the prophets.

But he is gone! He abandoned them!  He is dead!

Might as well get out of Jreusalem and go back to where they once belonged, go back to their old trade, try to pretend not to hear the mocking, scorn and jeers from their “kababayans” about losing their gamble on a wanna-be Messiah.

     Nangarap.

     Lumisan.

     Iniwan!​​

     Umasa.

     Sumama.

     Inabandona!

A week prior to this, they were jubilant, expectant, and triumphant.  They were met with throngs of people waving palms, throwing their outer garments for the young donkey bearing their Master to walk on. And the people, the multitude were shouting that ancient coded chant:  “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”  To the Jews, that was actually the equivalent of shouting openly:  "Lansagin ang Herod-Romang diktadura!”

It was a People Power Revolution that turned into derision came Thursday and Friday.  The crowd that shouted “Hosanna!” were shouting a different slogan:  “Crucify him! Crucify him!”   And they watched him hang on the cross and die.

If you were one of his followers, would you not have acted in like manner as the disciples did:  hide, lock every door and window or escape from Jerusalen if you had the means the opportunity?  Hindi rin kaya kayo magtatago at baka ma-tokhang?  Hindi ba kayo tatakas mula sa Jerusalem kung meron pamamaraan at pagkakataon?

Ganoon ang narararamdaman ng mga alagad.  They felt Anguish!  Bitterness! Despair! Hopelessness!  Fear! The absence of Peace!

It was in this condition that Jesus came to them, and the first word he said to them, according to John’s Gospel was “Peace!” “Peace be with you!”  “Kapayapaan!” Yan ang unang katagang namutawi sa bibig ng muling nabuhay na Kristo sa kanila:  Kapayapaan!  Kapayapaan ang sumainyo!”

Nabuhay si Kristo sa kaligitnaan ng pagkatakot, kapaitan; sa gitna ng panaghoy at kawalang pag-asa, si Kristo ang nagdala ng kapayapaan.  Buhay si Kristo, ngayon at kailanman, para sa kapayapaan.  Hallelujah!

Di ba sinabi niya:  “Kapayapaan ang iniiwan ko sa inyo.  Ang aking kapayapaan ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo; hindi ito katulad ng kapayapaang ibinibigay ng mundo. Huwag mabagabag ang inyong kalooban at huwag kayong matakot.”

“Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give unto you.  Not as he world gives, do I give to you.” Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).  It is a peace that the world cannot not give; a peace that the world cannot take away - that is the peace that the Living Lord gives to us.

Based on our two passages this Resurrection Sunday, what is this peace that the Lord gives and wills for his followers?  What is this peace that He bestows on us?

Let me share with you four ways in which we can understand this peace that the Risen Lord wills for people and for the world.

From the Isaiah passage, this peace is Nature in Order.  There is harmony in creation.  As Barbara Lundblad puts it, “the peacable kingdom where predators and their prey live side by side, and babies play unharmed near poisonous snakes.”  She then added that “Woody Allen once gave his own interpretation of this vision: ‘The wold shall lie down with the lambs.  But the lambs won’t get much much sleep.’”

But I would go further than Barbara Lundblad or Woody Allen for in the peacable kingdom the old categories no longer work or hold true, the old categories of predator and prey are no longer operational.

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and lion together and the cow and the bear shallgraze together.”

The lamb, the young goat, the calf and the cow will have no more reason to be afraid. Why?  It is because the wolf, the leopard, lion and bear will acquire new taste buds - they will become vegetarians.  Hallelujah!  It says they will graze together.  They will be consuming grass, and it is not the recreational variety now legal in California.   Ibang damo yun. Ayaw ni Pres. Digong yun.

Just an aside:  I am not sure though how my fellow Ilocanos with their love of pinapaitan and kilawen will react to Isaiah’s vision of a peacable kingdom.

This transformation reminds me of the story of that bully preying on small kids, scaring them with his tattooed body, depicting a snake and an eagle on his bare chest. He would move the muscles on his chest and it seems that the objects would come to life.  “Gusto mo bang tuklawin ka ng ahas at ilipad ka ng agila doon sa mga ulap at saka ka ihulog?,” sabi niya sa isang batang nanginginig sa takot pero di niya namalayayn na dumating pala ang tatay ng bata na mas mataas at doble na maskolado sa kanya.  “Ano ang pinagmamayabang mong yan?,” turo ng tatay sa ahas na tattoo.  “Earthworm po,” sabi ng bully.  “E yan?,” turo sa agila.  “Kalapati po.”

Mga kapatid, sa pangitain ni Isaiah ang ahas ay magiging earthworm at ang agila ay magiging kalapati.  Wala ng bully.  Wala ng nangbibiktima at nabibiktima.  No more predator and prey.  Old hostilities give way to reconciliation and existing fears are laid to rest.  Nature in order.

The second way to see this peace that Christ wills is to see this peace as an Equalizer.  A construction of social and economic levelled field.  It is CASER - Christ’s Advocacy for Socio-Economic Restructuring.

Luke quotes Isaiah 40:3 - The voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepeare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be filled; every mountain and hill shall be brought low.  And the crooked shall be made straight.  And the rough ways shall be made smooth.”

Luke, of course, was the very same Gospel writer who wrote the account of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, who immortalized the Magnificat, which in part reads:

​He has shown strength with his arm,

​he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

​he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

​and exalted those of humble estate

​he has filled the hungry with good things

​and the rich he has sent empty away. (Luke 3:51-53)

This will be a great social and economic leveler.

Unpeace, caused by the unequal distribution of wealth and by the continuing widening gap between the rich and the poor will sooon be gone, and all will have their own vine and fig tree, they shall live in peace and unafraid.

Unpeace, caused by big nations imposing their will against smaller nations; unpeace caused by mighty nations intervening and meddling in the affairs of weaker nations will just be a fading memory.  “God will judge between peoples and render decisions for mighty, distant nations.  Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nations will not lift up sword against nations, and  they shall learn war no more.”

Thirdly, we can see the peace that Jesus wills as peace resulting from Justice (Luke 3:10-14). Four things we note here.

 

Firstly,  justice denies the notion of a special class of people.  There is to be no hiding in being Abraham’s descendants.  The Jews were chosen so as to demonstrate God’s love, mercy and grace. It was not meant to make them  arrogant, proud or exclusivistic.  John the Baptist did not bother much on the niceties of public speaking.  He did not season his preaching with, “Dearly beloved in the Lord,” or “My dear sisters and brothers, he just drops the bombshell:  “You brood of vipers!” “Anak kayo ng mga ulupong!”

     How is that for an intro? (I am sure people were asking: Who was his Homiletics teacher? What seminary did he graduate from?)

​    In one of my readings, I was informed that the common Palestine viper lays up to 20 eggs which hatch in six weeks as 8 inch long vipers.  “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”  Perhaps John the Baptist and had in mind the scurrying of vipers that would escape a burning field (Ralph Wilson’s Jesus Walk on Luke 3:7-14).

​    Secondly, justice demands sharing.  If one has more than what is enough and necessary, share, give, distribute.  The first epistle of John would later pick up on this theme where we read:  “But they who have the world’s goods and see their sisters and brothers in need and close their hearts against them, how does the love of God abide in them” (1 John 3:17).  John sees this not simply as a matter of distributive justice but also as a matter of love and caring for one’s neighbor.

​   Thirdly, justice dictates fairness.  To the tax collectors, who try to squeeze as much as they can from people, or do “under the table” or “open the drawer” deals, John the Baptist's instruction was to be fair; not to collect more than what is supposed to be collected.  Stop stealing from the people,

​    Fourthly, justice denounces abuse of power and human rights violations.  To the law enforcers, John the Baptist had this to say:  Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, be content with your wages.  If John were living today he would most likely say:  “Do not extort.  No Tokhang for Ransom.  Do not fabricate charges. Do not file trumped up charges.  No more pasalubongs and pabaons.

    ​Justice denies the notion of a special class of people. It demands sharing. It dictates fairness and denounces abuse of power and human rights violations.

And now for our fourth and final point:  The peace that Christ wills upholds Kingdom values.  John the Baptist preached repentance, a 180 degree turn to head back in the right direction; a repentance which leads to the forgiveness of sins.  But for that to be so, it must bear fruits in keeping with that repentance.  “By their fruits, you shall know them,”  the Lord once said (Luke 6:44).

This begins with the question:  “What, then, shall we do?”  At dahil buhay si Kristo, ngayon at kailanman para sa kapayapaan, at nakita nating ngayong umaga  kung anong klaseng kapayapaan ang ninanais niya, “kung ganoon, ano ang dapat nating gawin” upang maisapamuhay natin ang kayapaang ito? Ano ang dapat gawin?

Mananahimik na lang ba tayo sa libu-libong patayang walang nananagot?  Do we remain silent when thousands are being killed with impunity?

Mananahimik na lang ba tayo at hayaang ibalik ang parusang kamatayan o babasagin natin ang katahimikan para manindigan para sa buhay at sa katotohanan na ang tao ay nilikha sa wangis ng Tagapaglikha?  Do we remain silent while the death penalty is about to be re-imposed?  Shall we not break the silence and stand up for life and the truth that people are created in the image of God?

Mananahimik na lang ba tayo habang nagpapatayan ang kapwa Pilipino o kumilos tayo  upang masegurong matuloy ang usapang pangkapayapaan? Shall we remain silent and let the guns speak while fellow-Filipinos fight with each other? Or shall we not silence the guns so parties can speak and put their heads together on how best to address the root causes of the armed conlict

Magkikibit-balikat na lang ba tayo habang sinisira ang kalikasan at winawasak at kinabukasan ng ating bansa?  O magkakapit-bisig tayo upang ipaglaban at ipagtanggol ang Inang kalikasan?  Do we just shrug our shoulders at the destruction of our environment and the devastation of our national patrimony? Or shall we not march linked arms, shoulder to shoulder to protect and defend the integrity of creation.

Where, O Christians, are the fruits  that are in keeping with your repentance?  Martin Luther King, Jr. once said:  “They who passively accept evil are as much involved in them, as they who perpetrate them.”

The peace that Christ offers is not a peace where there is absence of conflict or violence - but a peace even in the midst of them.  It is not a peace created in silence but a peace that demands prophetic courage and daring obedience, even if it may cost our lives.

Pero huwag mabahala, mga kapatid.  Ang ating buhay na Panginoon mismo ang nagwika:  “Sinasabi ko ito sa inyo upang sa inyong pakikiisa sa akin ay magkakaroon kayo ng kapayapaan.  Magdaranas kayo ng kapighatian sa mundong ito, ngunit tibayan ninyo ang inyong loob! Napagtagumpayan ko na ang sanlibutan” (John 16:33).

Indeed, that is the promise of peace. I like how the Amplified Bible puts it:  “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace.  In this world you will have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous ( be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy and [be of good cheer]), I have overcome the world!”

Napagtagumpayan ko na ang sanlibutan. Ito ang pangako ng Buhay na Kristo. Manalig tayo! Buhay siya ngayon at kailanman para sa kapayapaan!

Purihin ang Diyos! Purihin Siya! Amen.

__________________

Note from the Preacher:

If you put the key letters to the outline:

NO for Nature in Order

Equalizer

Justice

Kingdom values

It would form: NO EJK! That, too, is peace. Peace means NO EJK!