Bishop Ramento’s murder spurs indignation of thousands in Hong Kong
His brutal death did not eclipse our hopes; it fueled our rage.
The gruesome murder of Bishop Alberto Ramento, co-chairperson of the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum and erstwhile Obispo Maximo (Supreme Bishop) of the Philippine Independent Church, last October 3 did not stop the people in the Philippines and the world over from intensifying its campaign to stop the political killings in the country.
Here in Hong Kong, for two straight days, people from all walks of life gathered once again to condemn Bishop Ramento’s death and intensify the said campaign.
Led by the Hong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights in the Philippines, together mainly with the Asian Human Rights Commission and the Philippine Independent Church-HK, a series of activities were conducted: a signature and postcard campaign as well as a candlelight vigil and prayer service on October 8 and a picket protest at the Philippine Consulate General on October 9.
Many people joined. Many people signed. Many people sympathized.
October 8
The day started with the mounting of petition signing centers in Central. Initiated by the AHRC and the United Filipinos in Hong Kong, the petition signing posts were designed to publicize the campaign and target mainly the Filipino migrant workers to sign the petition and the postcards, all of which will be sent to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Postcard
Three posts were set up: one in World-Wide House, Divisoria’s Cluster Building of Hong Kong; another in Statue Square near Chater Road; and the third in Star Ferry pier in Central. All three are popular spots teeming with Filipino migrant workers on Sundays.
A total of 2,611 signed postcards were gathered on that day – truly an outstanding number as the consciousness builds up and people start to take notice, get involved in our campaign.
People were unafraid to ask questions and sign up on the petition. Others even asked for some more postcards which they said they will bring to their respective churches for their fellows to sign.
Concluding the day was a candle-light vigil set near the subway along Chater Road. A procession was held prior to the vigil, led by the Philippine Independent Church – Hong Kong and the Mission For Filipino Migrant Workers and attended by more than 60 people.
Darkness fell quite early yet that part of Chater Road glowed when white candles were altogether lit and white roses and flowers showered the whole place. Bishop Ramento’s picture was held larger-than-life and placed in front of the vigil. Candles in small paper cups were arranged to spell out “justice”. People gathered and stayed, reaching an estimate of 260.
Father Dwight dela Torre, chairperson of the PIC-HK and chaplain of the Mission for Migrant Workers, started the prayer service by introducing Bishop Ramento. A close friend, he shared with the people how the poor-loving bishop lived his days by standing up for the poor and defending their human rights. No doubt grief, anger and agitation enveloped the vigil area.
Several prayers were given with various migrant leaders taking turns in reading specified verses. Towards the end of the service, people were encouraged to sign their names, their wishes and their organizations’ name on a white cloth, which will be given to Bishop Ramento’s family. Songs were sung and flowers were laid in front of the bishop’s picture and around the white cloth.
Jackie Hung of the Justice and Peace Commission of the HK Catholic Diocese and Debby Chan of the HK Christian Institute were there to attend the service. Our friend Kai Shing from the Asian Human Rights Commission stayed on even after the postcard signing.
October 9
On the morning of the following day, October 9, people once again trooped to the Philippine Consulate General to register the HKCAHRPP’s condemnation of Bishop Ramento’s brutal killing.
Although not surprising, it was still a shock to us that the glass doors of the Consulate were already smoked prohibiting people inside from seeing what was happening in the lobby, where we usually held our picket protests. Nonetheless, this did not dampen our spirits and we rallied on with the calls.
A short program was conducted with Father Dwight dela Torre of PIC-HK reading the statement of his church on Bishop Ramento’s death while various members of the HKCAHRPP read in parts their statement rather loudly during the program.
One could feel the anger in our friends’ voices as they shouted slogans. Bruce Van Vhooris of the Asian Human Rights Commission, a staunch defender of human rights and a very reliable ally and friend of the Filipino people in this campaign, made sure that the Consulate people heard well what we have got to say.
We then concluded our program and prepared for more activities and programs in the future.
With the death of Bishop Ramento, we express our unwavering commitment to intensify the campaign until justice has been served to all victims of human rights violations and all the perpetrators have been punished.
The gruesome murder of Bishop Alberto Ramento, co-chairperson of the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum and erstwhile Obispo Maximo (Supreme Bishop) of the Philippine Independent Church, last October 3 did not stop the people in the Philippines and the world over from intensifying its campaign to stop the political killings in the country.
Here in Hong Kong, for two straight days, people from all walks of life gathered once again to condemn Bishop Ramento’s death and intensify the said campaign.
Led by the Hong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights in the Philippines, together mainly with the Asian Human Rights Commission and the Philippine Independent Church-HK, a series of activities were conducted: a signature and postcard campaign as well as a candlelight vigil and prayer service on October 8 and a picket protest at the Philippine Consulate General on October 9.
Many people joined. Many people signed. Many people sympathized.
October 8
The day started with the mounting of petition signing centers in Central. Initiated by the AHRC and the United Filipinos in Hong Kong, the petition signing posts were designed to publicize the campaign and target mainly the Filipino migrant workers to sign the petition and the postcards, all of which will be sent to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
PostcardThree posts were set up: one in World-Wide House, Divisoria’s Cluster Building of Hong Kong; another in Statue Square near Chater Road; and the third in Star Ferry pier in Central. All three are popular spots teeming with Filipino migrant workers on Sundays.
A total of 2,611 signed postcards were gathered on that day – truly an outstanding number as the consciousness builds up and people start to take notice, get involved in our campaign.
People were unafraid to ask questions and sign up on the petition. Others even asked for some more postcards which they said they will bring to their respective churches for their fellows to sign.
Concluding the day was a candle-light vigil set near the subway along Chater Road. A procession was held prior to the vigil, led by the Philippine Independent Church – Hong Kong and the Mission For Filipino Migrant Workers and attended by more than 60 people.
Darkness fell quite early yet that part of Chater Road glowed when white candles were altogether lit and white roses and flowers showered the whole place. Bishop Ramento’s picture was held larger-than-life and placed in front of the vigil. Candles in small paper cups were arranged to spell out “justice”. People gathered and stayed, reaching an estimate of 260.
Father Dwight dela Torre, chairperson of the PIC-HK and chaplain of the Mission for Migrant Workers, started the prayer service by introducing Bishop Ramento. A close friend, he shared with the people how the poor-loving bishop lived his days by standing up for the poor and defending their human rights. No doubt grief, anger and agitation enveloped the vigil area.
Several prayers were given with various migrant leaders taking turns in reading specified verses. Towards the end of the service, people were encouraged to sign their names, their wishes and their organizations’ name on a white cloth, which will be given to Bishop Ramento’s family. Songs were sung and flowers were laid in front of the bishop’s picture and around the white cloth.
Jackie Hung of the Justice and Peace Commission of the HK Catholic Diocese and Debby Chan of the HK Christian Institute were there to attend the service. Our friend Kai Shing from the Asian Human Rights Commission stayed on even after the postcard signing.
October 9
On the morning of the following day, October 9, people once again trooped to the Philippine Consulate General to register the HKCAHRPP’s condemnation of Bishop Ramento’s brutal killing.
Although not surprising, it was still a shock to us that the glass doors of the Consulate were already smoked prohibiting people inside from seeing what was happening in the lobby, where we usually held our picket protests. Nonetheless, this did not dampen our spirits and we rallied on with the calls.
A short program was conducted with Father Dwight dela Torre of PIC-HK reading the statement of his church on Bishop Ramento’s death while various members of the HKCAHRPP read in parts their statement rather loudly during the program.
One could feel the anger in our friends’ voices as they shouted slogans. Bruce Van Vhooris of the Asian Human Rights Commission, a staunch defender of human rights and a very reliable ally and friend of the Filipino people in this campaign, made sure that the Consulate people heard well what we have got to say.
We then concluded our program and prepared for more activities and programs in the future.
With the death of Bishop Ramento, we express our unwavering commitment to intensify the campaign until justice has been served to all victims of human rights violations and all the perpetrators have been punished.
posted by HKCAHRPP @ 5:33 PM
<< Home