Press Statement from NCCP:
May 28, 2007


I was at the memorial service for the first death anniversary of Noli Capulong yesterday afternoon at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Calamba when Pastor Joel Tendero broke the news of the abduction of Berlin Guerrero.  

In my homily, I was reflecting on John 12:24…  If a single grain of wheat dies, it produces many grains.  The death of one produces many more grains according to the scripture.  But I said yesterday that we must bring the equation to its conclusion.  Many more grains grow but many more will run the risk of either being killed or abducted.  Berlin's abduction is proof of that conclusion.  

Political killings continue with nauseating impunity to this day.  And while the perpetrators have changed tactics:  from assassination by bonnet-wearing men on motorcycles to enforced disappearances, our streets are still stained with blood.  

The calls for justice that we sounded and continue to sound, we had hoped, would expose Oplan Bantay Laya I to the end that the military would withdraw the scheme.  Instead, our calls have ushered  Oplan Bantay Laya II.  

Our protests against urban militarization brought "wolves in sheep's clothing" into the urban communities.  Military presence never left the urban poor areas.  The analysis that the State is responsible for the bloodshed and must be held accountable is flatly denied by the authorities.  The testimonies raised in the halls of the United States Senate have fallen on deaf ears.

Angered by Berlin's abduction, the NCCP stands with his wife, Mylene, his family, his church at this difficult time.  Berlin's absence from us today is yet another reason for the NCCP not to let down its guard for we know that our resolve to attain justice is mightier than the wicked plots of those who put their trust in malevolent violence.  Moreover, abduction is a scheme employed by desperate cowards.  What Berlin's disappearance tells us is that no one can hush the people's song of freedom for the song that he was singing continues to be sung by us.  In the strongest of condemnation, we demand that his abductors surface him now or forever contend with the people's wrath.
 

MS. SHARON ROSE JOY RUIZ-DUREMDES

General Secretary