With 85% of its about 83-million population belonging to several Christian confessions, the Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in Asia.
The majority Roman Catholic Church was established under the 16th to 19th century Spanish colonial rule, while Protestant missions arrived during the early 20th century. The National Council of Churches (NCCP) was founded in 1963, following a number of predecessors, the earliest of which dates back to 1900.
An ecumenical grouping of the "mainline" Protestant churches, the NCCP consistently opposed the martial law imposed by Ferdinand Marcos in 1971. They played an important role in raising people awareness about issues of militarisation, corruption, violation of human rights and the exploitation of people. During the four days of the historic February 1985 pacific uprising - known as the "people power revolution" - that put an end to Marcos' dictatorship, Catholic priests and nuns and Protestant pastors and church workers were seen rallying together.
Recently, the NCCP has been at the forefront of the human rights advocacy. Last March, its report "Let the stones cry out" brought to the attention of the United Nations Human Rights Council and other instances of the international community the "collective cry for justice of thousands of Filipinos [...] who have suffered the brunt of violations of human rights under the Philippine government's counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism strategies".
At that time, the number of victims of extra-judicial executions counted since 2001 was over 800. It is near 900 now, although according to Marie Hilao-Enriquez of the human rights watchdog Karapatan their frequency has decreased. But "forced disappearances have, however, increased", she adds.
"We want to reassure you about our continuing accompaniment in your journey towards peace and justice", Kobia said after listening to the stories of human rights victims and survivors.
Recalling the WCC's long-standing commitment in support of the Filipino people, he affirmed the Council would continue pressuring the Philippine Government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, as well as to fulfil its obligations under international human rights law.
Amidst the stories of pain, suffering and the seeming helplessness of the human rights victims and survivors, who have little chance for immediate justice, the WCC delegation comforted and encouraged them not to lose hope.
Earlier on the same day, the delegation attended a memorial service for Bishop Alberto Ramento. A leader of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church), Ramento's killing in October 2006 was due to his staunch human rights advocacy, according to fellow church workers.
"As we learn not to fear," Kobia said in his homily before Ramento's relatives and members of the homegrown church, "we embrace hope and vision of another Philippines."
Maurice Malanes is a freelance journalist from the Philippines. Currently a correspondent for Ecumenical News International (ENI), he also writes for the Manila-based Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the Bangkok-based Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN).
