Re: AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY A PRIEST
- From: "dalagang bukid" <sylviapatis@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 6 Jul 2006 19:36:14 -0700
in dsps, rose and joekers book these couple belonged to the enemy so
it didnt matter if they died. its all a slippery slope
tumbaga wrote:
George and Macel: United in love, commitments and death
Written by Fr. Peter Geremia
Friday, 30 June 2006
(Fr. Peter Geremia, PIME, is an Italian-American missionary who has
worked in Mindanao since 1977. In 1985 Fr. Peter was targeted for
assassination by right-wing vigilantes, who instead killed his friend
Fr. Tulio Favali. Fr. Peter's name appears on military blacklists now
being circulated. So did George's. The remains of the Vigo couple will
be transferred from their residence in Apo Sandawa Homes II to the
Kidapawn Cathedral gym on Friday, June 30. Burial will be at the
Kidapawan Memorial Park after the 7 a.m. mass on Saturday, July 1).
KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/29 June) -- George & Maricel Vigo: United in
love, in commitment and in death
George and Maricel Vigo came to visit me on June 19, 2006, just before
being killed. Of course they didn't envision a violent death on that
day. They didn't even mention threats or issues. They focused on their
own personal and family concerns. It was a sort of renewal of their
personal relationship and their deepest commitments.
After our long sharing, they walked away holding hands like young
lovers. They looked as if that was the happiest moments of their life,
a peak experience. They poured out so much affection that I was
amazed.
As they rode home, they were shot down like birds flying in the sky.
A couple of days later I saw a picture on top of their coffin. They
were standing together by Lake Agco, the magic lake near the peak of
Mt. Apo. That's where the tribal leaders held their ritual, the
D'yandi or Blood Compact, vowing to defend the sacred mountain, which
they call Apo Sandawa, "to the last drop of their blood." On that spot
George and Macel made their own vow to one another and to the
oppressed. When I saw that picture I could feel the vibration of their
burning love for one another, for the oppressed, for nature, for the
values of peace and justice.
Why didn't Nature warn them about the immediate danger
to their life? Their 13-year-old son would ask, "Why were they
sacrificed like innocent lambs?" I could not protect them; maybe I
added to the risks they were facing. God certainly knew what was about
to happen. They were chosen for the special privilege of becoming
martyrs.
Those who plan to kill them knew what was happening. How many saw that
horrible murder coming and did not stop it? How can they live with
their consciences now? How can they look at their children and see the
children of George and Macel, like shadows in the dark.
They showed they can kill even a women in a public place without any
fear of being stopped, as if they have a license to kill. Some say
this is a warning to all activists. It is the season for hunting down
popular community leaders. They say it is a national campaign funded
by the masterminds of the war on terrorism, or better, the war of
terror.
This is the sickness of vigilantes and fanatical groups-like when Fr.
Tulio Favali was killed during Martial Law. They think atrocities will
make them more powerful. And they are masters of deceit. In fact, the
official investigators deceived Macel's mother to sign a statement
attributing the killing to New People's Army (NPA). They accused
George and Macel of supporting the NPA, then they blame the rebels for
their killing. They also blame the rebels for Favali's murder, but
gradually the truth was revealed by witnesses who overcame fear and
threats, sustained by solidarity of many supporters who took a
stand-"tama na, sobra na" (enough).
George and Macel grew up during the last years of Martial Law. During
their student years, they joined our Task Force Apo Sandawa, an
alliance of church groups, NGO's, and Peoples Organization (PO)
committed to protecting the environment of the Indigenous People (IP)
and all the oppressed sectors. They both served in the Diocesan
programs, Tribal Filipino Program (TFP), and Justice and Peace
Integrity of Creation Program (JPIC). Then they found jobs in various
NGOs to support their growing family.
Both of them joined the Federation of Reporters for Empowerment and
Equality (FREE) and they struggled to launch a local paper called "Apo
Sandawa", then a second paper called "Headliner." In 2001 the offices
of Headliner was burned to the ground, suspected arson attack because
of their reporting. George was also involved as a local producer for a
number of BBC World Service radio and television documentaries and
features. He also helped produce "Islands Under Siege," which aired on
America's most respected documentary program, Frontline. George became
a UCAN correspondent which stands for Catholic Asian News. Their
voices became familiar to the public in the local radio stations and
as journalists they constantly projected the voice of the poor,
oppressed, exploited and struggling masses.
Since the time of the All Out War in the year 2000, which raged around
us here, they were among the most active Peace Advocates joining in
human rights investigations, relief and rehabilitation missions, peace
rallies, and so on. In particular, they proposed and formed a group
called Kids for Peace, bringing their own children together with
others to express their expectations for peace.
They became very much involved in promoting pro-people politics
through education and grassroots organizing. In 2004 they were among
the conveners of KALAMPAG- Kotobatenyos for Good Government, an
alliance of POs, NGOs, church-based and civic groups of concerned
citizens who promote "a style of leadership respectful of all our
people and to heal the wounds of the victims of abusives."
We wonder if they became targets because of their participation in
KALAMPAG or because of all their community involvements. They were
considered moderate activists, journalists working within the
system-young professionals who cared deeply for family and community
values.
George often introduced himself as my 'junior', implying that he
wanted to continue my way of serving the people around us. Macel
always shared her deepest secrets. Now I feel their deaths are also my
death, like when Fr. Favali was killed in my place.
They can kill people like George and Macel, like Favali and other
martyrs, but they cannot kill our dreams and commitments. The power of
hatred can shock and scare many, but the power of the kind of love
that George and Macel shared will grow beyond death. As it happened
with Christ: he was condemned and crucified, but he rose to new life
and he promised that all those who follow his way to the cross will
experience resurrection, but I believe it is being generated like a
seed underground, watered by the blood of martyrs. Those who share
their spirit and their passion for truth and justice, for peace, and
solidarity, will continue their struggle.
Our tribe is decreasing. So many progressive leaders killed, others
paralyzed by threats, particularly here in Kidapawan. The worst trend
is the indifference of the majority-from the authorities to academics,
even churches and NGOs-who appear to have lost their prophetic voices.
The majority of the media are used by the masterminds of deception.
Even the Department of Justice and the courts make a mockery of the
system of justice.
As a result a new wave of vigilantism and fanaticism is sweeping the
land, and true democracy is being suffocated under blood and fear.
Some say that, because of the pervasive influence of consumerism, the
culture of corruption promoted by the media and internet, the
commercialization of vices and the make-belief world of entertainment,
many people are prevented from facing reality. Thus many families
break down, the young are alienated, and very few leaders can be
credible to the masses of the oppressed. Maybe now the victims or the
martyrs can become the new modules for the counter culture that can
fill wounds of violence and generate new Peace Advocates like George
and Macel. (MindaNews)
.
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