The Light to Dream and Sacrifice, for the Dream to Come True

By: Fr. Robert Reyes

My parents came towards lunch time. They were jubilant and full of optimism. They were aglow with the many happy turns of the morning at the Makati Regional Trial Court. Thank God, my parents are allowed to exercise the right to visit their son. Human rights still exist. I have not been totally isolated from the rest of society because of my contact with visitors from the church, lawyers and family and a few friends. Yet, a good number of friends have not been allowed to enter the custodial center. They were told “Only immediate family, parents, siblings, wife and children.” I have often complained that my status is peculiar- as a priest, I have no wife or children, even my relative, my own siblings have already migrated, my sisters in the States, my youngest brother in Canada. How many friends has been turned away leaving some “pasalubong” with a note of encouragement to cheer me up. I am more than cheered. I know how so many would visit if it were not too difficult, if the idea of the “custodial center in camp Crame were not that fearful and threatening”.

On the 11th Day of detention, Human Rights Day. I assert and affirm the right to a meaningful and fruitful life. I have affirmed this right in the past years through my constant and consistent appeal for a society of truth and decency, justice and equality, freedom and idealism.

In the last eleven days, I have spent my life with those who dream of a new Philippines rid of those who spread the darkness of greed and deception; a new Philippines breathing the air of genuine peace without the phantoms of arms, and foreign intervention; a new Philippines whose leaders are guided by conscience and a spirituality that recognizes and rejects the demons of compromise, corruptions and cronyism.

To you our relatives, friends and fellow dreamers, we offer our little sacrifice in detention. We offer you our perseverance, patience, good humor and most of all our undying optimism and hope.
One day, we shall all see and celebrate the Light…

Fr. Robert Reyes
December 10, 2007
International Human Rights Day
PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame

May PAG-ASA pa!!!

Sa likod ng lugmok na moralidad ng bayan, hindi sumusuko ang KUBOL PAG-ASA sa matayog na pangarap na magkakaroon pa rin ng kalutasan ang mga problemang kinakaharap ng bayan. Ngunit hindi marahas na pamamaraan ang sinasaligan nito kundi mataimtim na panalangin at sakripisyo ng pag-aayuno.

Adhikain ng KUBOL PAG-SA na magkaroon ng liwanag ang mga nasa dilim, makamtam ang hustisya ng mga pinagkaitan nito, mapairal ang kapayapaan, masugpo ang karahasan at muling buhayin ang katapatan, at katwiran.Panalangin at pag-aayuno ang tanging sandata ng KUBOL PAG-ASA.

Panalangin at pag-aayuno na impluwensiya ni Fr. ROBERTO P. REYES.

Bilang alagad ng simbahan at kinatawan ni Hesus, pananagutan ni Fr. Robert na ipagtanggol ang mga naaapi, ituwid ang landas ng mga nalilihis, tulungan ang mga kapos sa buhay, pakinggan ang mga nagdadalamhati, isiwalat ang mga kasinungalingan, tumindig sa katwiran. Lahat ng ito para sa pagpupuri sa Diyos at pagmamahal sa bayan.

Sa ganito, matuwid kayang parusahan siya ng pagkakulong? Hindi kaya nararapat na hayaan pa nga siyang mangaral ng katwiran para sa kapayapaan? Hindi kaya higit kailanman ngayon siya nararapat na suportahan ng simbahan, ipagtanggol at kalingain?

Kailan naging kasalanan ang magmahal sa bayan?
Kailan naging kasalanan ang adhikain ang kapayapaan?
Kasalanan bang hanapin ang katwiran?
Kasalanan bang mangarap at magsakripisyo para sa pagbabago?

Naninindigan ang KUBOL PAG-ASA na dapat nang palayain si Fr. Robert.
Naninindigan ang KUBOL PAG-ASA na dapat kalingain ng simbahan si Fr. Robert.
Naninindigan ang KUBOL PAG-ASA na patuloy na mananalangin at mag-aayuno para sa bayan, para sa Diyos.

THE RIGHT TO STAND FOR ONE’S PRINCIPLES

THE RIGHT AND THE GIFT TO LOVE GOD AND COUNTRY
Fr. Robert Reyes

Today is our eleventh day of praying, sharing and dreaming on with junior officers and civilians. We have discovered our common passions and love, to work and make sacrifices for land and people. The last eleven days are both joyful and sad. It is sad to sit in a concrete cell with iron grills and iron gates regularly locked and unlocked to ensure that we stay detained, our freedom limited, our movement monitored.

However, our joy knows no limits. We do sit sad having lost our basic freedom, but we also feel the deep joy of being given the chance to show and express our love and devotion to the Mother land.

Today, our motto in GOMBURZA makes more sense, “Kristiyano ako kaya Makabayan!” In my cell, I encounter Jesus also detained, monitored and unjustly accused. To suffer detention, persecution is a privilege and challenge to intensify our faith and deeper our resolve to serve and give more of ourselves to

God, Country and People, most specially the poor and Marginalized.

Statement of Fr. Robert Reyes

Is it a crime to love one's country?

Is it a crime to work for peace?

Is it a crime to thirst for justice?

Is it wrong to dream and sacrifice for change?

I will not eat for all those who are afraid, reluctant and uncertain

I will fast for the light, the peace, the liberation which so many

feel and desire in the depths of their souls.

Do not fear. God is with us.

God will triumph over evil.