We are concerned for our sisters and brothers

Presbyterian leaders sent a letter to President Arroyo of the Philippines expressing concern for the health workers arrested on February 6, 2010. Those arrested included one member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines – a partner church of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The letter urged President Arroyo We urge you to "ensure the safety of those who are being held in this incident."

It went on to ask the President to "ensure that all the citizens of the Philippines are accorded the due process of the law and the respect for their rights to which the Philippine Constitution entitles them. We are particularly concerned for the well-being of our sisters and brothers in the Philippines as reports of violence and intimidation increase during this period leading up to the presidential election."

Signed by Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council Linda Valentine, and Moderator of the 218th General Assembly Bruce Reyes-Chow, the letter reminded President Arroyo that the Presbyterian Church has sisters and brothers in Christ in the Philippines and is called by Christ to concern for people around God's world.

The photo is PC(USA) Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow with Bishop Eliezer Pascua of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.