Day of Prayer for Peace with China slated

Fr. Robert Reyes

SAN PEDRO, Laguna—Activist priest Fr. Robert Reyes has urged the public and Filipinos around the world to join a 24-hour prayer and fasting for the peaceful resolution of the conflict between the Philippines and China over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

Even in the comfort of their homes, Filipinos can join the Global Day of Prayer for Peace in the Scarborough Shoal as a means of easing the tension between the two countries, Reyes said.

The Global Day of Prayer to be held on August 21 at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City was organized by the New York-based US Pinoys for Good Governance.

Loida Nicolas Lewis, the national chair of US Pinoys for Good Governance, said 300 to 500 members of civil society groups and church, political and business leaders were expected to attend.

“We don’t want anything that is aggressive for now. This is all conciliatory (as) I’m reaching out already to the (next) leaders in China,” Lewis said in a phone interview.

China is set to hold its next elections in October, she said.

Reyes, also known as the “running priest,” was invited by the group to the program but he said he could not join as he was now in a special program of a Franciscan order based in Laguna province.

“I and many cannot be physically present for the Global Day of Prayer for Justice and Peace… but I will join in praying and more,” he said in a phone interview.

In an e-mailed message on Sunday, Reyes asked those who could not go to Makati City to join at least a part of the 24-hour prayer and fasting that will begin at 12 noon of August 21.

“We shall fast and pray for justice and peace, most of all because we love our motherland,” he said.

The territorial dispute between the Philippines and China erupted after Chinese commercial and military vessels were spotted in the Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine (South China) Sea. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon