On 23 November 2009, dozens of people were killed in a massacre that took place on the Philippine island of Mindanao. Victims include several members of the media and two lawyers known for human rights advocacy. The massacre was the result of ongoing tensions in this divided community.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) have issued a statement on the situation, and called for prayer for both our partner Church the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, (UCCP) and our Young Ambassadors for Peace coordinators and volunteers. “This massacre is a grim reminder of the pervading culture of impunity and lack of respect for human rights that has been in our midst and that has turned for the worse since 2001. The gruesome massacre of unarmed civilians is a painful reminder that government statements to the dismantling of political warlordism have been mere rhetoric,” said NCCP General Secretary, Rev. Fr. Rex RB Reyes, Jr.

This grim event highlights the importance of our dedicated and hardworking local peacemaking coordinators and volunteers who dedicate their lives to facilitating reconciliation within their communities.

Ellen Escobal (above, right)  is UnitingWorld’s Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) coordinator in Mindanao working to restore peace in the region. Her experiences have convinced her that reconciliation is possible. “I can honestly say I saw a miracle, that peace is possible; that sisterhood among Christians and Muslims is possible because I saw that here… Our generation has started to plant the seed of peace,” said Ellen.

UnitingWorld launched the People for Peace Appeal in November to support the dedicated and hardworking local peacemaking coordinators and volunteers who dedicate their lives tom facilitate reconciliation within their communities. YAP programs operate throughout some of the most divided communities in Asia and the Pacific.

The generosity of supporters will allow coordinators to receive allowances to organise workshops and conduct mediation sessions. Through the generosity of supporters of the People for Peace appeal, coordinators will be able to receive allowances to organise workshops and conduct mediation sessions.

Click here to read the National Council of Churches in the Philippines’ (NCCP) full statement on the situation in the Philippines.

Click here to read more about the People for Peace appeal.

Click here to learn more about our Peacemaking centres.

If you wish to provide support the local peacemakers to carry out their vital work, please call 02 8267 4267 or donate securely online at http://www.unitingworld.org.au/

Tags: Philippines

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 at 9:35 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.