Today, 3rd of May, 2016, we share the victory of the birth of an Italian-Filipino solidarity group in Rome, Italy.
The “Comitato di Amicizia Italo-Filippino per Diritti Umani nelle Filippine” or Italy-Philippine Friendship Association (IPFA) is a region-wide group of Italians and Filipinos in Lazio, Italy.
It was initiated by a group of Italians who participated in the human rights forum organized by UMANGAT-Migrante Rome. They were touched by the tearful testimonies of Sr. Stella Matutina, a Benedictine Sister with the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, and Dr. Angie Gonzales of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), who visited Rome for the Global Week of Action for Mindanao in November last year.
The succeeding tragic incidents and violence in many areas of tribal communities in Mindanao and the worsening of human rights situation in Philippines led to the formation of concerned Italians and Filipinos into a social action group.
The newly formed IPFA commits itself to upholding the rights and welfare of the Filipino community in Italy, in their continuing struggle against poverty, oppression and repression in the Philippines.
For reference:
Mr. Luciano Seller,
President IPFA
Email:[email protected]