A growing number of church groups have expressed support for the mushrooming “community pantries” or food banks in the Philippines despite allegations that these are “leftist” propaganda tools.
“These noble efforts at ‘bayanihan (cooperation)’ and ‘bahaginan (sharing)’ are rooted in the commandment ‘to love thy neighbor as Christ loved us,’” read a statement from the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP).
The Protestant National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) described the initiatives as “exemplars of Jesus Christ’s admonition to love our neighbor.”
“This shows not only Christian values but also that of other faiths as well, for care and compassion to the least of our sisters and brothers,” read the NCCP statement.
Makeshift stalls that distribute food to people most affected by the pandemic have sprouted all over the country in the past week as the national capital implemented strict quarantine measures.
Several groups identified with the military, however, tagged the “community pantries” as a brainchild of leftist and communist underground organizations that want to undermine the government.
The government, the military, and the police have washed their hands of the reported “red-tagging” of the community initiatives even as police officers were seen visiting and interviewing people behind the “pantries.”
“How can decent, upright individuals malign an effort to provide succor and comfort to their fellow human beings?” said the AMRSP in its statement on April 20.
“There is nothing sinister nor diabolical with loving, caring, and acting in solidarity with one another,” said the Catholic religious leaders.
“To love and care for the other and to act in solidarity with the poor fully appear to us as Christian acts and deeds worthy of emulation,” they added.
The influential group “remind(ed) those in power that they are servants — not masters — of the people” who are “tired of quarantines.”
“People have lost jobs and loved ones. People are hungry. People are in distress. Instead of harassing, maligning and belittling these innocent community efforts, we challenge those in authority to join and be a part of it,” read the AMRSP statement.
The Protestant NCCP, meanwhile, called on its member churches to either put community pantries in local churches and parishes or to make donations to existing ones in their communities.
Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza, NCCP general secretary, said the growing number of “community pantries” is an “indictment of the lack or failure of government to adequately support the people in this time of desperation.”
“Regrettably, instead of encouragement by our authorities, the community pantries are unnecessarily vilified and red-tagged,” said the bishop.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan in the national capital said “community pantry” organizers should be supported and the initiative should be encouraged.
“‘Bayanihan’ is not a crime,” said the bishop. “Aren’t you thankful that people are voluntarily helping each other?”
The bishop made the statement as the first “community pantry” in the capital paused operations on Tuesday, April 20, for concern over the safety of organizer Ana Patricia Non.
Non cited a Facebook post by the police and the government’s National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that linked the initiative to the communist movement.
In a statement, Human Rights Watch called on authorities “to stop targeting organizers of ‘community pantries’ … where every one is enjoined to ‘give what you can, get only what you need.’”
The group said the initiative has been an “incredible demonstration of compassion by Filipinos at a time when … many poor families are suffering from lack of food and household resources.”
The presidential palace has earlier lauded the “community pantries” describing it as showing “the best in us during the worst of times.”
“We think these community pantries show that bayanihan (cooperation) spirit reigns, not bickering,” said presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
He praised community pantries as a “showcase of the best in Filipino character” and saluted the Filipino spirit for its tenacity despite great challenges.
The social action arm of the Catholic Church in the Philippines has encouraged the public to support community-based responses to address hunger during the pandemic.
At least 80 community pantries have already been set up in various places in Metro Manila and other provinces across the country.
