PLAZA MIRANDA, site of student demonstrations and other political
gatherings before and during martial rule, once again became the site
of an important activity after being renovated by the city government
and held off-limits to demonstrators. Led by Vice President Teofisto
Guingona, the historic Plaza Miranda hosted on Jan. 31 the “Stand
for Peace” prayer rally against the United States’ (US)
impending war on Iraq.
Endorsed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
and the Protestant National Council of Churches in the Philippines
(NCCP), about 5,000 persons of different faiths, including Muslims,
and organizations responded to Guingona’s call for a day of
prayer for peace. Most of the participants wore white to dramatize
their appeal for peace.
“In the wake of preparations for a great armada in the Middle
East—war seems imminent. Yet, prayer and Your Divine Response
can soften hearts, enlighten minds and open windows of change,”
uttered the vice president in prayer.
|
| Bishop Georges Casaoussa, Archbishop
of Mosul, Iraq, reads his statement during the prayer rally. |
“We have almost a million Filipino workers in the Middle East.
We pray for their safety and the security of those who may fall in
the night should this conflagration come,” Guingona added.
The peaceful assembly was a strong opposition to Malacañang’s
official position to US’ war on Iraq. The US government, through
its ambassador in the country, has asked for “general support”
from the Macapagal-Arroyo government.
Fr. Joe Dizon of Kairos Philippines meanwhile said, “Mabuti
na lamang at may matining na tinig sa Malacañang na tumututol
sa pagsuporta sa gera ng Amerika sa Iraq. Kaisa ni Bise Presidente
Guingona ang lahat ng mamamayang Pilipinong nagmamahal sa kapayapaan”
(It is fortunate there is a small voice in Malacañang that
opposes any support for the US’ war on Iraq. The peace-loving
Filipinos stand with Vice President Guingona."
Strongly disagrees with Bush
Furthermore, US citizen and Maryknoll sister Mary Grenough, also convenor
of Justice Not War Coalition, said she strongly disagrees with her
president George W. Bush and she is humbled and grateful to commit
and pray for peace.
Teddy Casiño, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang
Makabayan (BAYAN) said it is the US that has the most number of nuclear,
biological and chemical weapons. “Let us choose peace and reject
US war of aggression,” said Casiño.
Fr. Allan Arcibuche of the Promotion for Church Peoples’ Response
urged the Macapagal-Arroyo government to withdraw support and instead
oppose the US war on Iraq.
Earlier, Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, urged Ms. Macapagal-Arroyo
to follow Pope John Paul II, not US President George Bush. “We
are not anti-American, we are anti-war,” said Sin in a statement.
The Pope has appealed for peace in Iraq.
Dizon said the prayer rally is just the beginning of protest actions
against the US war on Iraq. He said more actions will be launched
on Feb. 5, scheduled meeting of the United Nations Security Council
and on Feb. 15, an international day of action against US war.
Meanwhile, youth and students under the Anti-Imperialist Movement
of the Youth (AIM of the Youth) and Kabataan Laban sa Agresyon at
Giyera (KALASAG) marched to the US Embassy after the program at the
Plaza Miranda. They were joined by members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno,
Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Artists for Peace. (Bulatlat.com)
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