The Association of Women in Theology (AWIT) condemns in the strongest term the harassment, trumped-up charges and fabricated lies that this government through the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been making against the person of Rev. Glofie Baluntong, an ordained clergy of The United Methodist Church, who is from Occidental, Mindoro.
True to her calling as an ordained clergy of The United Methodist Church, she has pursued and carried on the mission of her church as it “sends persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the strangers, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a compassionate, caring presence and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel and continue the mission of seeking, welcoming and gathering persons into the community of the body of Christ” (The UMC Book of Discipline).
This she did through her work of loving service to the least, the last and the lost. She embodied God’s redemptive action through her ministry with the Mangyans, the indigenous people in Mindoro. She humbly served them through relief programs, scholarship assistance to Mangyan students, visitation and conversations and supporting livelihood projects. She has served not only Mangyan communities but other marginalized sectors in Mindoro. She has undertaken this ministry of compassion and justice despite the evil track record of state forces in the island of Mindoro who are historically known for grave human rights violations, suppressing dissent and disrespect for those who work for peace and justice.
Rev. Baluntong’s service to the poor is a faithful witness as she lives out her faith in the scriptural charge of loving her neighbors, adhering to her church’s tradition of embracing social justice as one of the forms of mission, of valuing the sacred worth of human beings and their dignity and a long track record of reaching out far-flung places that are not reached by government services.
The continuing violations of illegal arrests, trumped up charges, intimidation, harassment and surveillance, are continuing proof of the present government’s adherence to weaponizing the laws of the land to silence its critics and those who genuinely work for the people’s welfare. This policy is anti-women as shown in its various attempts to charge women human rights defenders including Rev. Baluntong. If only the government would take to heart genuine service to the people, it would laud and support Rev. Baluntong’s ministry rather than demonizing it. But nay, the government is inutile and would rather serve the interests of the rich and powerful as seen in its current practice of appointing officials who are subservient to their own political and economic interests. It is appalling that this government has become so used to lies and fabrication of untruths. It believes even its own lies. The illegal charges against Rev. Baluntong is a disservice to the poor communities in Mindoro. We stand witness to the various trumped up cases filed against human rights defenders which are then dismissed because it lacks merit and have no legal basis. The truth can never be suppressed.
We call on everyone, our sisters in the faith and in the struggle – let us stand with what is just and true.
We are AWIT. We are born out of the womb of women’s struggle for liberation and democracy. Everyday we are summoned by our faith to testify boldly and speak courageously against the evils of tyranny and injustice. We stand with our sister, Rev. Glofie Baluntong. She is one of us and we stand by her truth.
We join our voices with other faith communities calling the Philippine government to Stop the attacks against Rev. Glofie Baluntong and all other women human rights defenders!
Signed by: Pastor Maricar Delfun
Association of Women in Theology
National Coordinator
Association of Women in Theology (AWIT) 