Holy Mass and Forum

for Peace and Justice

in the Philippines

Via Merulana, Rome, Oct. 15, 2006

Candle-lighting in Copenhagen

Oct. 20, 2006

Posted Oct. 27, 2006

Members and friends of UMANGAT and MIGRANTE PARTYLIST ITALY dedicated a solemn mass at the Redemptorist Mission at Via Merulana on October 15 to murdered bishop Alberto Ramento and other victims of extra-judicial killings and forced disappearances.

Fr. Teody Holgado, CSsR led the mass and delivered a relfection on the Philippine situation, particularly on the political killings of church workers, activists and civilians. Members and friends of UMANGAT and MPL lighted candles for the victims of political killings.

Later, an open forum was held at the mission hall where photos and names of almost all the 760 plus victims of extra-judicial killings and 180 plus victims of forced disappearances were on display.

Most of the migrants in attendance asked what they can do and what they can contribute to stop the killings. They suggested holding more forums, signing petitions, and donating to a fund for the stop the killings campaign.

The Danish - Philippine Solidarity Committee led a group of about 40 people on October 20 in an activity in Copenhagen with the main topic "Stop the Political Killings in the Philippines".  Program of activities included the follwoing:

- Film showing: the strike of the sugar workers in Hacienda Luisita

- Speeches about Human rights conditions and Political Killings in the Philippines, the Fact finding Mission in May, the sugar workers in Negros and the strike of the Nestlé workers.

- Memorial session with candlelights and torches to manifest our anger and grief and to show our respect to all the comrades who were killed or are still missing since 2001.