Order of Carmelites

A call for justice and to end impunity

/ Carmel News / By

There are six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him; Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that are quick to run to evil, The false witness who utters lies, and the one who sows discord among kindred. – Proverbs 6:16-19There are six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him; Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that are quick to run to evil, The false witness who utters lies, and the one who sows discord among kindred.
– Proverbs 6:16-19

The Lord hates those who shed innocent blood and so should we — having professed that we are followers of Christ, whose mystery of Incarnation we celebrate today.

Last December 20 in Paniqui, Tarlac – in broad daylight — Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony were shot dead by an officer of the law, Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, right in front of his daughter, some neighbors, and members of the victims’ family. The police officer had already been involved in previous cases of homicide aside from other offenses, but these were all dismissed and he remained in active duty. Despite the gravity of his most recent crime, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas even praised Nuezca simply because he surrendered instead of running away. The PNP has also repeatedly asserted that this coldblooded murder, which was caught on video and circulated to the public, was merely an “isolated event” and evaded the bigger issue of a systemic culture of violence that has brought about innumerable cases of deaths and disappearances involving police officers over the years.

Last month, two police officers in the PDEA Cordillera region have been identified in the abduction and killing of 25-year old Harjan Lagman, yet the PNP refused to name these officers. And last December 15, public health officer Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan and her husband Edwin Sancelan of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, were also ambushed and shot dead by “unidentified gunmen.”

These recent incidents – just a few among many this year alone – were similarly written off to be “isolated cases” even when it has become increasingly evident that these killers who remain as “unidentified gunmen” or “masked riding in tandem” are trained professional murderers who continue to be enabled by powerful patrons who have no value or respect for life.

These killings must stop. This systemic violence must stop.

Today, we join with all the indignant voices who are calling out for justice, for truth, and for an end to this unspeakable and appalling culture of impunity.

The members of the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines pray for all the victims of violence and the families whom they have left behind.

In the same manner, we enjoin all people of faith and goodwill to lend their prayers and their voices to the call for justice and the preservation of the dignity of human life.

We also pray for immediate reforms in such a dignified institution that has vowed to serve and protect the citizenry but has been cast in a bad light by those who have become intoxicated with an insatiable taste for power.

We pray for the innocent lives that continue to be threatened and are in danger, many of whom are well-meaning individuals, development workers and volunteers, human rights defenders, and many others who are courageously working to serve and uplift the masses.

We pray without ceasing for a future where there is justice, peace, unity, and genuine development in the lives of all people.

Let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace whose birth we celebrate on this holy night, to bless us and guide us in the way of peace.

Let us respect and protect life! Let us defend and assert our rights and freedoms!

As Carmelites, we are zealous in the Lord, the God of hosts, and thus we make this statement.

Very Rev. Rico P. Ponce, O.Carm.
Prior Provincial
Order of Carmelites
Philippine Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma

December 25, 2020
Solemnity of the Birth of Jesus Christ

🎨 Aurelio Castro III