SCL Statement on the Extrajudicial Killing of Human Rights Defender Zara Alvarez
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-10)
The South-Central Luzon Bishops Conference of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente sends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Zara Alvarez, a respected human rights defender (HRD).
We share the outrage of the human rights community in the country and across the world for the cowardly attack, another evidence of a killing spree targeting people with a selfless dedication to social justice, civil liberty, and democracy. We strongly deplore this despicable act and call on the authorities to bring to justice those responsible for her murder.
With a political landscape that is increasingly hostile against legitimate dissent, we need a sincere response that would expedite the delivery of justice to human rights defenders experiencing rights violations, and oblige the government to respect its mandate to respect human rights work and prevent the same fate from befalling other HRDs.
HRDs have heeded the people’s call for service and, yet, their works are criminalized by the present dispensation's disregard for the rule of law. We stand in solidarity with all HRDs who left comfort and risked their lives to advocate the rights of the unrepresented and underserved Filipino people.
Today, as we mourn the killing of Zara Alvarez, we also celebrate her life together with all those who loved her. As we remember her, we equally recognize our obligation to amplify the call for human rights -- a responsibility she and so many HRDs before her left behind. We need to make the voices of historically marginalized communities heard for the creation of a society that is grounded on true equality, liberty, and democracy. The time to end the vicious cycle of violence and change the system that allows the desecration of human life, dignity, and rights is long overdue.
We ask everyone to pray for the peace of God to claim dominion of our land and dispel it of evil. As we offer prayers for Zara and those grieving her death, may we also pray for the security of all HRDs, peacemakers, sowers of a just social order, and people of goodwill. May God vanish the darkness of tyranny and terror and deliver us to the dawn of peace.
THE RT. REV. ROWEL AREVALO
Chairperson, SCL Bishops Conference
Bishop of Laguna
Bishop-in-Charge of Masbate
THE MOST REV. GODOFREDO DAVID
Bishop of Rizal and Pampanga
THE RT. REV. VICENTE SALVADOR BALLESTEROS
Bishop of Greater Manila Area
THE RT. REV. JOSELITO CRUZ
Bishop of Bataan and Bulacan
THE RT. REV. EMILIANO DOMINGO
Bishop of Cavite
THE RT. REV. PEDRO OJASCASTRO
Bishop of Marinduque, Quezon, Batangas and Camarines
THE RT. REV. RONELIO FABRIQUIER
Bishop of Romblon and Mindoro
THE RT. REV. JOVY FODULLA
Bishop of Palawan
THE RT. REV. JOEL PORLARES
IFI General Secretary
