PRAYER SUPPORT FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF MINDANAO

VOICES OF CONDEMNATION FOR THE BRUTAL POLICE DISPERSAL

OF THE IPs PEACEFUL PROTEST RALLY IN MANILA

Voices of the Lumads (the indigenous people of Mindanao), are painful sounds of moans and groans
because they could no longer bear to be endlessly silenced. Through sweat, tears, and blood they have
defended their ancestral lands against dominant local and foreign businesses. They have suffered and
continue to suffer. Their collective strength comes from within their belief in a universal God of Justice
and the collegial support of various Churches and Human Rights Organizations.
This October 19, 2016, a van from the Manila Police District (MPD) rammed into protesters, leaving
several bloodied, as an anti-US rally turned violent at the American Embassy on Roxas Boulevard in
Manila (newsinfo.inquirer.net). Renato Reyes (protest leader) said, at least three student activists were
taken to a hospital after they were run over by the van. There was absolutely no justification for it,
Reyes said of the violent police dispersal of about 1,000 protesters. Even as the president vowed an
independent foreign policy, Philippine police forces still act as running dogs of the US.
Again, as people of faith, we are summoned to unite our voices of support for the liberation of the
suffering indigenous people in the Philippines. We, the National Ecumenical Forum for Filipino
Concerns-Southern California (NEFFCON-SoCal) join the Lumad People in their condemnation of
the latest police brutality on their legitimate rally for justice. We bring their demands for justice to all
Filipinos, Filipino-Americans and friends of the Filipino People here in Southern California and beyond.
The Lumad People, together with all Allied Human Rights Advocates, bring the following concerns (as
aptly expressed by BAYAN Hong Kong and Macau) to President Rodrigo Duterte, PNP Chiel Ronald
Bato Dela Rosa: to immediately investigate the culpability and criminal liability of Col. Marcelino
Pedrozo of the Manila Police District who ordered the brutal dispersal, and police officer "Kho", the
driver of the PNP mobile van who deliberately and repeatedly ran over the protesters, injuring scores.
Appropriate charges should be filed against them and if found guilty, they should be punished,
dishonorably discharged from duty and placed behind bars.

NEFFCON-SoCal strongly supports the struggles of the Lumads all over the Philippines to have a life
conducive for education of their school children, human development in the pursuit of their indigenous
culture and tradition, protection of people's fundamental rights to assembly and to freely express their
issues of killings of their leaders and supporters, militarization of their communities and violations of
rights to self-determination.

Let us remain steadfast of our solidarity with those whose basic human rights have been violated
and accompany them in their pursuit for a life promised by God to all. Thus says the LORD,
preserve justice and do righteousness, for my liberation is about to come and my righteousness to
be revealed (Isaiah 56:1)

Mabuhay and Long Live to SANDUGO,

the newly-formed national alliance of Indigenous and Moro Peoples
Immediate pull-out of the military and para-military troops from the IPs ancestral lands,
communities and schools
Immediate arrest, prosecution and punishment of the military and paramilitary personnel
responsible for the killings of indigenous and Moro peoples around the country.

Fr. Toting Tronco

Chairperson, NEFFCON-SoCal

Fr. Lito Mombay

Vice Chairperson, NEFFCON-SoCal

Naida C. Castro
Finance Officer, NEFFCON-SoCal