March, picket, mass, candle-lighting and vigil
posted by HKCAHRPP @ 5:47 PM
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
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
Justice for Bishop Ramento
Filipinos are joined by Hong Kong Chinese friends to pay tribute to Bishop RamentoPhoto courtesy of Azon Amaya-Canete
posted by HKCAHRPP @ 5:27 PM
HKCAHRPP Statement on the Killing of Bishop Ramento
6 October 2006
Hong Kong SAR
Reference:
Bruce Van Voorhis (26986913)
Rev. Dwight Q. dela Torre, IFI/PIC (98105070)
Eman C. Villanueva (97585935)
Convenors
Justice for Bishop Ramento
Bishop Alberto Ramento, a leader of his church, a key figure of the ecumenical movement in the Philippines, an advocate for the poor, a worker for justice, a promoter of peace¬such a man was suddenly awakened at about 4:00 a.m. in his room in the convent in Tarlac City and brutally stabbed to death on October 3. Why was a bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), or Philippine Independent Church¬a man of God and the people¬killed so violently?
The initial explanation of the police is robbery and homicide. Why though would robbers go to the second floor of a convent to rob a bishop who had lived simply all his life and who had been a champion of the poor? What valuables would such a man possess? To steal goods from a 69-year-old man in his sleep, why would he have to be stabbed seven times?
The explanation of the churches and human rights groups in the Philippines and around the world is that Bishop Ramento’s violent death rather fits the pattern of hundreds of others in the Philippines over the past few years, i.e., another extrajudicial killing. The common denominator of the death of these priests and church workers, journalists, lawyers, peasants, workers and students is that they have upheld the rights of the poor, the majority of the population in the Philippines, and consequently, they have been critics of the policies of the Philippine government and the actions of the country’s vested economic interests. Like many of the other victims, Bishop Ramento had also received death threats prior to being killed.
Why then did the police not reach the same conclusion as well? The country’s extrajudicial killings are not a secret. What do the police have to fear? Who are they trying to protect? Are the police not implicating themselves or the military in Bishop Ramento’s death by claiming it was a robbery and homicide?
Thus, the Hong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (HKCAHRPP), a local coalition of concerned human rights, migrant and student organizations and individuals, joins others in the Philippines and throughout the world in condemning the violent death of Bishop Ramento and calls for an immediate and independent investigation into his killing. This case is an opportunity for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to honor her pledge in September to invite a delegation from Europe to monitor the Philippine government’s response to the country’s extrajudicial killings. The European monitors should play a proactive role in the process to ensure that a proper and impartial investigation is conducted.
Bishop Ramento was a church leader who sought to give witness to his faith by seeking justice for the poor. Like the Christ he followed, he was crucified by the powerful forces of his time for his words and deeds. President Arroyo though cannot wash her hands and deny her responsibility for ensuring that his case ends with justice. Bishop Ramento’s death is an opportunity for President Arroyo to prove to all Filipinos and the international community that she truly wants to solve the scourge of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.
HKCAHRPP members: Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC); Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body (AMCB); Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM); Asian Students Association (ASA); Association of Indonesian Migrant Workers (ATKI); Christian Conference of Asia – Decade to Overcome Violence (CCA-DOV); Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI); Justice and peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese; Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW); Iglesia Filipina Independiente (PIC) Hong Kong; Thai Regional Alliance in Hong Kong (TRA-HK); United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK); World Student Christian Federation – Asia Pacific (WSCF-AP) and individuals from the media, the academe and non-governmental organizations.
Hong Kong SAR
Reference:
Bruce Van Voorhis (26986913)
Rev. Dwight Q. dela Torre, IFI/PIC (98105070)
Eman C. Villanueva (97585935)
Convenors
Justice for Bishop Ramento
Bishop Alberto Ramento, a leader of his church, a key figure of the ecumenical movement in the Philippines, an advocate for the poor, a worker for justice, a promoter of peace¬such a man was suddenly awakened at about 4:00 a.m. in his room in the convent in Tarlac City and brutally stabbed to death on October 3. Why was a bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), or Philippine Independent Church¬a man of God and the people¬killed so violently?
The initial explanation of the police is robbery and homicide. Why though would robbers go to the second floor of a convent to rob a bishop who had lived simply all his life and who had been a champion of the poor? What valuables would such a man possess? To steal goods from a 69-year-old man in his sleep, why would he have to be stabbed seven times?
The explanation of the churches and human rights groups in the Philippines and around the world is that Bishop Ramento’s violent death rather fits the pattern of hundreds of others in the Philippines over the past few years, i.e., another extrajudicial killing. The common denominator of the death of these priests and church workers, journalists, lawyers, peasants, workers and students is that they have upheld the rights of the poor, the majority of the population in the Philippines, and consequently, they have been critics of the policies of the Philippine government and the actions of the country’s vested economic interests. Like many of the other victims, Bishop Ramento had also received death threats prior to being killed.
Why then did the police not reach the same conclusion as well? The country’s extrajudicial killings are not a secret. What do the police have to fear? Who are they trying to protect? Are the police not implicating themselves or the military in Bishop Ramento’s death by claiming it was a robbery and homicide?
Thus, the Hong Kong Campaign for the Advancement of Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (HKCAHRPP), a local coalition of concerned human rights, migrant and student organizations and individuals, joins others in the Philippines and throughout the world in condemning the violent death of Bishop Ramento and calls for an immediate and independent investigation into his killing. This case is an opportunity for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to honor her pledge in September to invite a delegation from Europe to monitor the Philippine government’s response to the country’s extrajudicial killings. The European monitors should play a proactive role in the process to ensure that a proper and impartial investigation is conducted.
Bishop Ramento was a church leader who sought to give witness to his faith by seeking justice for the poor. Like the Christ he followed, he was crucified by the powerful forces of his time for his words and deeds. President Arroyo though cannot wash her hands and deny her responsibility for ensuring that his case ends with justice. Bishop Ramento’s death is an opportunity for President Arroyo to prove to all Filipinos and the international community that she truly wants to solve the scourge of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.
HKCAHRPP members: Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC); Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body (AMCB); Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM); Asian Students Association (ASA); Association of Indonesian Migrant Workers (ATKI); Christian Conference of Asia – Decade to Overcome Violence (CCA-DOV); Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI); Justice and peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese; Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW); Iglesia Filipina Independiente (PIC) Hong Kong; Thai Regional Alliance in Hong Kong (TRA-HK); United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK); World Student Christian Federation – Asia Pacific (WSCF-AP) and individuals from the media, the academe and non-governmental organizations.
posted by HKCAHRPP @ 5:13 PM
Candle-lighting to Stop the Killings
HKCAHRPP led a candlelight vigil condemning the brutal killing of Bishop Alberto Ramento
posted by HKCAHRPP @ 5:08 PM
"Bishop of the Poor Peasants and Workers"
Fr. Dwight Q. dela Torre (IFI/PIC), convenor and spokesperson of the HKCAHRPP in his testimony about how the late Bishp Alberto Ramento was known as the "Bishop of the poor peasants and workers".
Photo courtesy of Azon Amaya-Canete
posted by HKCAHRPP @ 4:52 PM
HK - Tribute to Bishop Ramento
Fr. Dwight dela Torre, IFI/PIC, led the prayer to pay tribute to the late Bishop Alberto Ramento.
Photo courtesy of Azon Amaya-Canete
posted by HKCAHRPP @ 4:46 PM
