The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) paid tribute to former President Fidel Valdez Ramos, who it recognized as a pillar of peace-building, and joined the entire nation in mourning his death.
“We extend our utmost and heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and we honor his life, especially his legacy for peace,” said the statement of the 10-member and nine associate-member group of Protestant and non-Roman Catholic Churches denominations.
Ramos was a devoted member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, another ecumenical Protestant denomination. He was known to be the first and only Protestant elected president of the Philippines.
“We are forever grateful for his courageous defiance against the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos when he chose the side of the people during the Edsa People Power Uprising of 1986. He never resorted to historical revisionism and stood by the importance and significance of Edsa in the life of our nation,” the NCCP said.
Even though he was a soldier, the group said it was during Ramos’s term when The Hague Joint Declaration for the peace process between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines was signed, and became the basis and the agenda for the formal peace talks.
Ramos also formed the National Unification Commission, which held provincial, regional and national consultations while peace talks with armed opposition groups were held in abeyance.
This resulted in the “six paths to peace” which defined his administration’s approach to the pursuit of peace.
These include pursuit of reforms that deal with the root causes of insurgency and social unrest; consensus-building and empowerment for peace; peace talks with rebel groups aimed at final negotiated settlement, with neither dishonor nor surrender for any of the parties; programs for reconciliation, reintegration into mainstream society and rehabilitation; protecting civilians and de-escalation of conflict, addressing concerns arising from continuing armed hostilities; and building and nurturing a climate conducive to peace.
“[Former] President Ramos may not be entirely faultless, he is but human after all. However, his legacy on peace, particularly to principled negotiations, will remain as an inspiration and a challenge to all,” the NCCP said.
“We may lose the man but what he has started is a step forward for the pursuit of genuine and lasting peace. Following his lead, it is now our duty to do our part in creating a just and peaceful future.
The NCCP statement was signed by Chairman Rev. Felipe B. Ehican Jr.; Vice Chairmen Rt. Rev. Joel O. Porlares, Dr. Gay B. Manodon, Ma. Kay Catherine F. Almario; Treasurer Major Allain M. Nietes, and General Secretary Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza.