𝐂𝐌𝐒𝐏-𝐉𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝐂𝐌𝐒𝐏-𝐉𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

The Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines- Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Comission together with their Mission Partners raise its voice in the midst of the cacophony of voices, for and against, the alleged Toboso encounter.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives. The young lives sacrificed are an immeasurable loss each of us has to bear.
While we do not condone violence as a means to achieve a better society we cannot but ask why our youth have chosen to tread a path that places their lives at risk? We must ask ourselves if the society we live in has carried the dreams and aspirations of the poor and downtrodden?

This had led our youth to take a radical path when they firmly believe no other option exists. Sadly, we condemn the path they took and mock them as “corned beef” and yet we remain silent to the despicable gap between our rich and poor. We continue to worship false gods of profit and exploitation. We continue to praise the elimination of our fellow Filipinos in the name of ideology or national security.

We cannot be party to the violence in our midst. We cannot be complicit to the structures that breed poverty and exclusion.

Pope Leo teaches us – “the peace of the risen Christ – a peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. It comes from God who loves us all unconditionally.”

Questions have been raised that need answers. There is the AFP side of the story. There are those who contest this story and raise the issue of “massacre”. Truth, we believe, must be ferreted out. It might be somewhere in between.

Truth is needed if we are to pursue justice. Justice is inextricably linked to peace.

We call on the government to create an independent, impartial body to investigate the Toboso incident.

We call on all parties to restrain themselves from partisan pronouncements. Let the truth be revealed and let justice flow like a river.

We place our resources and our own consecrated persons in the service of truth and justice.

We plead for an end to the bloodshed. Too many lives have been lost in the name of liberation and national security. Too many lives have been lost in this society of greed and profit.

Let us begin the dialogue. Let us talk peace. Let our shared humanity overcome our divisions.

We say to all – Peace be with you!