Church joins nation in mourning

MANILA, Philippines—Joining the nation in mourning, all parishes, churches and chapels of religious communities under the Archdiocese of Manila offered Masses on Friday for 44 police commandos massacred in Maguindanao province.

In a message read during the Masses, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged Filipinos to pray for a change of heart “in those who committed this inhuman act” against the members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).

“The Archdiocese of Manila shares in the grief and pain of the whole nation at the tragic death of our brothers,” said Tagle.

“We join you in the search for justice as we assure you of our prayers,” Tagle said. “As a people, let us work for justice, truth, freedom and love so that true peace may reign … Let not precious lives be wasted again.”

Tagle said he could not fathom how people could easily kill each other and disregard the pursuit for peace.

“Before us is the mystery of darkness,” he said. “Why does a person have the capability to hurt his neighbor and ignore the dream to achieve peace? Peace is good and it is also beautiful to love, but why is there a part in our nature that wants to contradict this? It is disturbing.”

On southern Basilan island, all parishes also offered Masses for the slain SAF members.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said Masses would also be said on Sunday.

“We are one with the nation in observing the day of mourning by praying for the victims of the massacre, especially for their families,” Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said.

The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) pushed for the creation of an independent fact-finding body.

“We call on civil societies, the religious bodies, the business sector and all other peace-loving organizations to help conduct a joint fact-finding mission independent from the (government) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” PCEC national director Bishop Efraim Tendero said.

Tendero added: “We expect transparency on the basic facts. What? Where? When? Who? Why? How?”

“We shout for justice for all who died in this armed encounter. Under the rule of law, those who are responsible must be brought to justice—from the official who planned and sanctioned this operation, to the personnel on the ground who pulled the trigger, whether they are from the government side or the MILF side,” Tendero said.