AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A longtime proponent of nonviolence who founded the Gunless Society has called on the government, the police and the military to ensure that the New Year celebrations will be peaceful, safe, joyful and, above all, free of guns.
Nandy Pacheco pleaded with all who own firearms to make “a firm, solid decision not to fire a gun when greeting New Year 2015.”
“Having a gunless New Year celebration is a wonderful opportunity to show our love for one another, do good to all and inflict harm on no lone,” Pacheco said.
“In addition to the standard New Year greeting, let us also say ‘Christ’s peace be with you.’ In this way we bestow upon one another the essential elements of Christ’s peace which are love, truth, justice, forgiveness, reconciliation and nonviolence,” he added.
Pacheco’s appeal coincided with the growing national awareness that New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Philippines had gotten completely out of hand in recent years with thousands of casualties–most of them children–hurt during the revelry.
Recently, five cities banned firecrackers in their localities on New Year’s Eve.
Pacheco pleaded with gun owners, whether licensed or unlicensed, not to fire their weapons.
Doing so, he said, would make life more difficult for everyone, especially the poor, the young and the old, and those celebrating the New Year in their homes and praying for a better life in the New Year and beyond.
“Let’s make our environment safe for all,” he said.