Church people, religious groups and formations join peace advocates in the Philippines and around the world in a global day of fasting and prayer. This is in response to Pope Francis’ “cry for peace” with the impending threat of yet another military strike to be carried out by the United States and its allies against Syria and the Syrian people.
As religious, we join Pope Francis and all the faithful in calling for peace in Syria. We are one with the world in condemning the US government for its plan to bomb Syria. For decades now, wars of aggression have been launched by the United States and its allies in the guise of its campaign against terrorism. We are witness to how US military interventions violated international laws and a nation’s sovereignty, and destroyed the country and its people’s chances for a better future.
It is urgent that President Aquino protect Filipinos working in Syria and the Middle East. They could once again face displacement and threat to lives in a US-led war. We urge the President to abandon its foreign policy of abiding US caprices and whims. We pray and speak in behalf of peace-loving people who have longed for US intervention to cease. We offer our prophetic voice as we sustain our call to respect life and ensure human dignity. We urge all the faithful and all peace-loving people in our resounding call to put an end to the US wars of aggression and ensure that just and lasting peace will soon reign in our land. Let the cry for peace rise up across the earth!
—NARDY SABINO, secretary general, Promotion of Church People’s Response, 3/F NCCP Bldg., 879 Edsa, Quezon City