SW News: In a significant development, the Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) was convened at the prestigious Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. During the meeting, the Council took a strong stance by condemning the alarming rise of extrajudicial killings and other severe human rights violations currently plaguing the Philippines.

The organization expressed its profound condolences to the families affected by the tragedy in a heartfelt message. Families of church workers, pastors, and priests who were tragically killed in extrajudicial assassinations were of particular concern.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), together with member churches of the World Council of Churches and numerous ecumenical partners, were praised for their bold efforts in supporting and advocating for neglected groups.

It has also backed the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in their call for official peace talks to begin. This initiative tries to address the root causes of the country's continuous armed conflict.

Furthermore, through relevant programs, offices, and institutions, the WCC will collaborate with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to implement Human Rights Council Resolution 45/33 on technical cooperation and capacity building for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.

The committee voted in favor of legislation to pass the Anti-Torture Law of 2009 and the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, as well as to repeal the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the Human Rights Defenders' Bill.

They concluded by requesting that the World Council of Churches plead for the Filipino people and their churches in the face of human rights abuses and that the World Council of Churches explore and propose means to accompany and help churches and ecumenical partners in the Philippines.