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Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10
The people of the Philippines have long faced a complex web of challenges, including poverty, inequality, human rights violations, environmental degradation, and recurring natural disasters. These issues are deeply intertwined and require comprehensive and sustainable solutions. Churches and related organizations, rooted in Christian unity and ecumenical social ethics, play a vital role in addressing these challenges and empowering Filipino people. Members of the WCC Young People in the Ecumenical Movement Commission have recently witnessed and given testimony of these realities.*
The ecumenical movement in the Philippines, particularly the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and the Philippine Ecumenical Youth Council – Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas (KKKP) – have been consistent voices for social justice, human rights, peace, inclusion and care for creation.
- On human rights: The NCCP has been a vocal critic of human rights abuses, since the Marcos Snr. dictatorship and the “war on drugs”, as well as providing support for victims of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and advocating for policy reforms.
- On peacebuilding: Ecumenical groups work to resolve conflicts in various parts of the Philippines - including the armed conflict between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines - promoting dialogue and reconciliation.
- On economic justice: They advocate for policies that address poverty and inequality, promoting fair wages, land reform, and sustainable development.
- On environmental protection: Ecumenical groups are actively involved in environmental protection, opposing destructive mining practices and other extractive activities that harm both communities and ecosystems. They actively promote sustainable agriculture and ecological stewardship, while also addressing broader climate justice issues, recognizing that environmental degradation disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable.
- On gender equality: They work to empower women and promote gender equality within the church and society.
- On youth empowerment: KKKP provides training and leadership development opportunities for young people, encouraging them to become active citizens and agents of change.
- On disaster response: The ecumenical movement in the Philippines is often at the forefront of disaster response efforts, providing relief and rehabilitation services to communities affected by typhoons, earthquakes, and other calamities.
Sadly, church workers and leaders in the Philippines, along with many other human rights defenders, have faced an escalating threat: ‘red-tagging’. This practice involves labelling individuals or groups as communist terrorists, often with the intent to discredit, harass, or intimidate them. Red-tagging can lead to:
- Surveillance and harassment: Individuals may be subjected to constant surveillance, online harassment, and threats by government agents and their proxies.
- Unlawful arrest and detention: Red-tagging can be used as a pretext for unlawful arrest and detention, often without due process, or filed with trumped-up charges though weaponized laws like the Anti-terrorism Act and the Anti-terrorism Financing Act.
- Extrajudicial killings: In the worst cases, red-tagging can lead to extrajudicial killings or enforced disappearances, where individuals are murdered or disappeared by state forces or vigilantes.
Ecumenical partners are actively working to counter the effects of red-tagging and support those who have been targeted by:
- Providing legal assistance to those who have been red-tagged, unlawfully arrested, or detained.
- Advocating for an end to these practices.
- Offering pastoral care and support to victims and their families.
- Documenting and reporting human rights violations.
- Raising awareness about the dangers of red-tagging and its impacts on civil society and democratic space.
Despite many challenges, the ecumenical movement has achieved significant successes:
- Prophetic voice: Ecumenical groups have consistently spoken truth to power, advocating for justice and human rights even in the face of opposition.
- Empowering communities: They have empowered marginalized communities to organize and advocate for their rights.
- Promoting dialogue: They have encouraged and promoted dialogue and reconciliation between conflicting groups.
- Providing relief and rehabilitation: They have provided vital assistance to communities affected by disasters.
- Defending human rights: They have bravely defended the rights of those who are red-tagged and persecuted.
Despite ecumenical advocacy and action, impunity has generally prevailed for those responsible for many of the worst violations in the Philippines. However, the arrest on 11 March 2025 of former President Rodrigo Duterte under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant charging him with crimes against humanity related to the “war on drugs” restored hopes for accountability and justice for the innocent victims of this policy.
The Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting online on 12-16 May 2025:
Affirms and celebrates the leadership and role of the ecumenical movement in the Philippines as a vital force for the transformation of both church and society, challenging churches to transcend denominational barriers and work together for a common goal, while also actively engaging with societal issues and seeking to build a more just and equitable society.
Welcomes the steps finally being taken by the International Criminal Court and other relevant authorities towards accountability and justice for the thousands of victims of killings and other abuses, especially in the context of the “war on drugs”.
Stands in solidarity with all victims of violence and injustice in the Philippines, with all those who are marginalized and oppressed, and with all those who offer a prophetic voice and who work for peace, justice, and the integrity of creation.
* For access to the full message of the WCC Young People in the Ecumenical Movement Commission please contact [email protected]