Philippines

PPF, through our partnership with the Philippine Solidarity Project (PSP) of Chicago Presbytery, stands with Filipinos in their quest for long-lasting peace through justice. PSP's mission is to build awareness of and bring an end to the violations of human rights in the Philippines.

Church workers with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), a partner of the Presbyterian Church (USA), are being killed at an alarming rate. Since 2001 more than 830 people who have worked with and for the poor in the Philippines have been assassinated in extrajudicial killings. They include journalists, lawyers, leaders of people's organizations, human rights activists and 21 church workers, nine of whom were pastors and priests.

The UCCP has a long and proud history of proclaiming good news for the poor, sight for the blind, justice for the hungry, freedom for the captives and liberation for the oppressed. Though witnesses have implicated members of the Philippine National Police and/or Armed Forces of the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and
her administration have yet to take meaningful steps to investigate these crimes.

There are many first hand accounts of killings; here
is an example:

Rev. Jemias Tinambacan, 49 years old, Pastor of UCCP Calaran, Calamba, Misamis Occidental, gunned
down on May 9, 2006 at 5:30 pm. He was driving in a private van with his wife, Rev. Malou Tinambacan when they were fired on by four armed assailants on motorcycles. Rev. Jemias Tinambacan was killed instantly. The car crashed and Rev. Malou Tinambacan heard them say, "Buhi pa ang
Baye." ("The woman is still alive."). She scrambled to the floor beside her husband's dead body and heard three more shots fired in her direction. Rev. Malou Tinambacan sustained injuries but survived the
assassination attempt. Rev. Jemias Tinambacan was an active member of many organizations including Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR), and was the Executive Director of Mission for Indigenous
People and Self-Reliance People's Assistance.

The people behind these killings need to know that people are watching. The UCCP and its leaders need to know that they are not alone. Strong international solidarity is needed at this time.

The Philippine Solidarity Project (PSP) stands in solidarity through:

• Awareness Building - Sharing the stories of victims of human rights violations and abuses
• Advocacy – Promote UCCP’s values to the government, churches and other institutions of the U.S.
• Delegation Trips – Expose U.S. citizens to the situation in the Philippines through bi-annual delegation trips, hosted by the UCCP and its partners.
• Fundraising – Raise funds for victims of human rights abuses.
• Networking – Connect Philippine advocates with one another in order to strengthen solidarity efforts.

Join Us!

If you are interested in helping us advocate for our sisters and brothers in the Philippines, please send an email to philippinesolidarity@gmail.com