National Council of Churches in the Philippines has issued a public denunciation of a New Year’s Day military operation in the coastal town of Abra de Ilog, warning that the use of aerial strafing and bombing placed civilian lives at risk. The council, which represents the largest body of non Catholic Christian churches in the country, described the incident as deeply troubling for communities already living under long running conflict conditions. Church leaders said the operation disrupted daily life, displaced residents, and generated fear among indigenous families and farmers in the area. Their statement framed the attack not only as a security matter but as a moral concern, emphasizing the obligation of state forces to safeguard non combatants. By speaking out early in the year, the churches signaled growing unease over how counterinsurgency actions continue to affect vulnerable populations in rural regions of the Philippines.
The bombing formed part of a broader military campaign against the decades long communist insurgency led by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing. Religious and human rights groups have repeatedly warned that such operations often blur the line between combatants and civilians, especially in isolated areas where communities live close to suspected rebel zones. According to church statements, the Abra de Ilog operation reportedly resulted in civilian deaths and forced hundreds of residents to flee temporarily. While local officials have disputed some casualty claims, church leaders stressed that even disputed figures highlight the need for transparency and restraint. They argued that military objectives cannot justify actions that endanger children, indigenous groups, or researchers present in the area, reinforcing calls for strict adherence to international humanitarian standards.
In addition to condemning the bombing, Protestant churches demanded the release of a young Filipino American activist who was reported missing after the operation and later confirmed to be in military custody. Church representatives said her continued detention without charges raised serious concerns about due process and human rights protections. They urged authorities to clarify her legal status and ensure her safety, arguing that prolonged uncertainty undermines public trust. The council also renewed its call for a halt to military actions that displace civilians and damage livelihoods, emphasizing that security efforts should not deepen social wounds. These demands echo long standing positions taken by faith groups across denominations, which have consistently advocated dialogue and protection of civilian life amid internal conflict.
Military officials have rejected accusations of wrongdoing, maintaining that the operation was conducted based on verified intelligence and within constitutional authority. They stated that the activist was found in need of medical care and voluntarily remained under supervision while receiving treatment. The armed forces have dismissed claims of civilian targeting as misleading, insisting that their actions were aimed at preventing planned attacks by insurgent groups. Despite these assurances, church leaders continue to press for renewed peace talks, arguing that military solutions alone have failed to resolve the roots of conflict. The episode has once again highlighted the tense intersection of security policy, human rights, and the moral voice of churches in a country where internal war has shaped generations of community life.
