Norwegian Church Aid continues to play an important role in the peace effort in the northern Philippines. An ecumenical delegation visited Norway earlier this month.

The delegation consisted of church leaders from a number of churches united under the ecumenical peace platform (PEPP), which Norwegian Church Aid initiated together with the Christian Council of Norway and Caritas.

Bridging the two parties
The delegation travelled to Norway in order to ask the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian church leaders and ecumenical support groups to continue to support the peace process between the Maoist groups and the government. They are pleased to see that Norway, with its experience in peace efforts, is playing a role in resuming the official peace talks between the parties in the Philippines.

"The official peace talks have been stalled for almost 3 years, and it is urgent to strengthen the process by bridging the two parties: the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Philippine Government (GRP)," said Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, former General Secretary of the Philippine Christian Council.

"It is good to see that the parties in the conflict have signaled that they are open for talks to prepare the ground for resuming the official peace talks," Ruiz-Duremdes continued.

Burning issues to be resolved
She went on to underline that the present "civil war-like" situation, between armed groups and government forces needs to end. "It is important to stop the fighting and sit down to discuss the burning issues: land reforms, human rights and the nationalization of the industry," she said.

PEPP has expressed its concern about the many members of local communities and churches who are affected by the conflict, especially those who are more or less caught in the line of fire.

"People are tired of war and unrest, and we are longing for peace and reconciliation. Armed conflict doesn't serve the people. Many people have been injured and killed, and people are urging the parties to lay down their arms. The churches have looked beyond their differences and are united in the peace effort. We call on the parties to sit down at the negotiation table," explained Ruiz-Duremdes.

Norwegian church support
The delegation praised the financial support delivered by Norwegian Church Aid to their local Philippine partners. They expressed that Norway and Norwegian Church Aid together with Norwegian churches and Christian organisations have a role to play in making this conflict known to the outside world. The voices of the people affected need to be heard. Their stories must be known.

"Many of those affected by the conflict are poor farmers, women and children. The peace talks are also concern the victims, as well as the fighting parties. There is a huge demand for peace education on the ground," concluded Ruiz-Duremdes, who believes that the delegation's journey to Norway is a small but important step on the road to peace in the Philippines.

The delegation consisted of:

• R.K. Bishop Antonio Ledesma, s.j. Arch Bishop of Cagayan de Oro, former vice-chairman in the Philippine chatolic bishops conference (CBCP) and leader of the Philippine ecumenical peace platform (PEPP).
• Ms. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, former General Secretary in the Philippine Christian Council (NCCP) and member of PEPP.
• R.K. Bishop Deogracias S. Inguez, Bishop of Caloocan, Manila and co-leader of an Ecumencial Bishops Forum (EBF).
• Bishop Ephraim Tendero, leader of the Alliance of the Evangelical Churches (PCEC).

• Sr. Cres Lucero, representing the council of both male and female religious orders and congregations in the Philippines (AMRSP).
• The PEPP secretary – Miss Ofelia A. Cantor – as coordinator for the delegation.

For further information, please contact:

• Tale Steen-Johnsen, Special Advisor for Peace and Reconciliation, : 982 02 500
• Bjarte Lien, kommunikasjonsrådgiver, tlf.: 958 03 734

The delegation consists of church leaders representing a number of churches who is part of the ecumenical peace platform (PEPP) Norwegian Church Aid initiated together with Norwegian Christian Council and Caritas. The delegation emphasized that it is urgent to strengthen the process by bridging the two parties; National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Philippine Government (GRP). (Photo: Bjarte Lien/Norwegian Church Aid)