I had a different cause picked out, but this email just came into my inbox from one of my Mission Intern friends and I thought I should make others aware of it. Following is the letter, and a link to an Amnesty International article about it. At the end of that link, you can find a form letter that you can adjust to your tastes, just simply take it to the post office and send it air mail. If you know if an Amnesty International chapter exists where you live, often you can drop them off there and they will take care of the expense of mailing the letter for you.

Hi all,

I hope this message finds you well. The state of the political crisis here in the Philippines is ever-increasing. In the brief time I was back home visiting the US, nearly 10 human rights activists and church people were killed by masked assassins believed to be military agents here in the Philippines. At least two more have been killed since I’ve returned. This doesn’t even take into account the scores of people killed recently due to the attacks on the MILF (Moro-Islamic Liberation Front) and the NPA (New People’s Army) by the PNP (Philippine Natinoal Police).

Two top staff people of Karapatan (the national Human Rights organization, similar in aims to Amnesty International) are now living here at InPeace in sanctuary after their co-worker was one of the activists killed a month ago. They were forced to flee from their city, Osamis and their work there as their lives are in danger with the military there. More than three attorneys affiliated with InPeace have learned they are on the military’s “Order of Battle” list. The current administration is feeling threatened by the dissatisfaction of the masses and they are responding with force.

Below is the report of Amnesty International, the Intl. Human Rights organization about the state of the Philippines in 2005 if you're interested in a brief background along with the current situation. I appreciate your interest in the situation here. Spread the word. Global awareness and action can help put an end to this madness here before it becomes even worse.

If you would like to read the article that she copied, let me know and I can forward it to you. Here is the link to one of the Amnesty stories about the situation. Above all, please be in prayer for the country and the leaders and those doing humanitarian work in the country. And spread the word! Human rights violations are things that cannot and should not be taken lightly. I'll be talking to my friend and will update you all as I hear word of what is happening there.

Philippines: Sharp rise in "vigilante" killings as human rights activist's death remains unsolved

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 at 10:18 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.