Church leaders from several Christian denominations in the Philippines renewed calls for peace negotiations between the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
The appeals were made ahead of the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, amid concerns over human rights and democratic freedoms.
The Council of Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), in a Sept. 17 statement, called for the resumption of “meaningful, inclusive, and sustained peace negotiations” between the government and the NDFP.
In a separate statement dated Sept. 21, the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) urged the two sides to resume “formal, sincere, and meaningful peace negotiations.”
The UCCP bishops expressed concern over what they described as the “continuing hostile and violent impasse” between the government and those who have taken up armed struggle.
The conflict, they said, “continues to bring suffering, displacement, fear, and loss to communities, especially among the poor and vulnerable.”
“We believe that even amid profound disagreement, there must remain a space for dialogue, listening, and the search for just and peaceful solutions to the roots of conflict,” the bishops said.
They urged all parties to “lay down hostility, protect civilians and communities, uphold human rights and international humanitarian principles, and return to the negotiating table in good faith.”
“The call to peace does not mean ignoring injustice or excusing violence; rather, it means courageously addressing the conditions that give rise to conflict and creating pathways toward justice, reconciliation, and the thriving of individuals and communities,” the UCCP said.
The EBF raised similar concerns over continuing hostilities between the government and those advocating armed resistance, including the NDFP, saying the conflict affects poor communities, farmers, Indigenous peoples and other vulnerable sectors.
“Genuine peace cannot be built upon fear, violence, or the suppression of legitimate grievances,” the EBF said.
It called for negotiations that address “the fundamental causes of armed conflict, including poverty, inequality, landlessness, injustice, and the denial of social and economic rights—and seek comprehensive solutions that uphold human dignity.”
“We urge all parties to recommit to dialogue, respect human rights and international humanitarian law, and protect civilians,” the forum said.
“May peace prevail over the logic of war, and may dialogue become a pathway toward reconciliation, justice, and a just and enduring peace,” it added.
Both groups tied their appeals to the commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 under the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, father of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The UCCP bishops remembered those who were “arrested, detained, tortured, disappeared, killed, displaced, and silenced,” along with families and communities whose lives were changed during the period.
“We remember not to reopen wounds, but to prevent their repetition. We remember so that truth may lead us toward healing, and healing toward peace anchored in justice,” they said.
The bishops said the memory of Martial Law also demanded vigilance in the present.
“We must stand against any effort to revive authoritarian rule, the abuse of power, the silencing of dissent, and the violation of human rights, regardless of who is in political power,” the UCCP said.
The EBF said human rights violations, red-tagging, political persecution, corruption, militarization, impunity, and the distortion of truth continue to threaten society.
“We denounce militarization of rural areas, red-tagging, and the reckless branding of individuals, organizations, churches, and human rights defenders as communist or terrorist supporters without due process,” the forum said.
“Criticism of government is not treason; defending human rights is not terrorism; and organizing for justice is not a crime,” it added.
The EBF also raised concern over fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and historical revisionism, saying falsehood can erase the experiences of victims and distort history.
“We cannot build a just future upon a falsified past,” it said.
The forum called on churches to teach the truth about Martial Law, defend human dignity and human rights, stand with victims and survivors, reject red-tagging and political persecution, resist disinformation and demand accountability in government.
“Our remembrance must become a continuing commitment,” the EBF said, adding, “‘Never again’ must mean vigilance, truth, justice, and the defense of human dignity.”
