Strange Bedfellows Indeed

It is said that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" in this case the common enemy is Xstrata-SMI and the friends are the Communist National Democratic Front and the Catholic Church.

Now I'm just wondering why the Union of Catholic Asian News would carry a story about the Communist Party of the Philippines' statement, in its website and even have a URL to it. (talk about having communist links) Interestingly enough the NPA also cited the Church's opposition in its statement. Strange bedfellows indeed

The manner it was reported was "matter of factly." Which to me is more than a little disturbing. The call is to "arrest corporate executive officers of Xstrata SMI and/or their top level official representatives and to bring them to the People's Court for the proper judicial and legal proceedings." Needless to say if this happens there will be nothing proper, judicial or legal about it.

There was no call for dialogue, no urging of peaceful resolution, nothing. Average citizens like me are left to think that these representatives of the Church agree with the whole statement and the VIOLENT means by which such an order will be carried out.

The article ends with a quote from Fr. Romeo Cathedral the diocese of Marbel's social action director, the thinly veiled threat reads "The NPA promised in the past to take action against SMI and then carried it out." He then cited burning buildings and equipment of SMI as well as an attack on a police outpost.

Call me old fashioned but for me the ends don't justify the means. These instances of violence are unacceptable. And Fr. Cathedral is condoning the NPA's acts of terrorism. And why? Because the Church and the NPA both want a stop to Xstrata-SMI's operations. Now both institutions claim to speak for the people, I AM ONE OF THE PEOPLE. I may not live there in the affected areas, but I sure do not want; a situation of escalating violence wherein innocents could be caught in the crossfire, damage to private and public property, and death threats to the employees of Xstrata who are just doing their job.

Finally I do not appreciate members of the clergy condoning violence, consorting with armed rebels just because they have a similiar agenda. And commiting acts of violence and injustice just to get their way. It's against the law, not just of men, it stands contrary to the beliefs of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Shouldn't the UCAN instad publicize a call for peaceful resolution, rational dialogue and a laying down of arms? There have already been casualties in this conflict. Is more violence really the solution?