Citizens’ Disaster Response Network (CDRN), along with its 17-member NGO affiliates based in all the Philippine regions, persevere as we have been doing in the past three decades in serving the poor and vulnerable sectors in the provinces where we are based. The outstanding track record of the CDRN member organizations will speak for itself. As a network, and as individual NGO’s, we have responded to the needs of our people during and after the worst disasters in our regions.

President Duterte called on the private sector to help the poor and that is exactly what we, in CDRN, are doing. CDRN member organizations are active in coordinating with the government at all levels from the Local Government Units, National and Regional government agencies, Regional Development Councils and the National Anti-Poverty Commission. Despite all these coordination and cooperation with government efforts to alleviate poverty, we are harassed, our members red-tagged as being communist terrorist front organizations, arrested, and even murdered.

CDRN member organizations vehemently deny and condemn in the highest possible terms these acts of intimidation by some elements in the AFP and its intelligence agencies. They use our money, Philippine taxpayers’ money, to peddle their lies and malicious and baseless accusations to discredit humanitarian organizations who truly, unconditionally serve the poor and the powerless.

The Duterte administration attacks us because we serve in remote and far flung barrios which rarely or do not receive any help at all. These areas are where one can find the poorest and least served, and where people are pushed to the wall because of their dire situation. In contrast, many international and local individuals and organizations trust us because of our integrity of service, and through us provide material support to the distressed people. Our service includes a selection methodology which prioritizes the poorest of the poor without regard for religious or political beliefs and sexual orientation, and is based on need and need alone.

In the face of these attacks, we, CDRN members, have to defend ourselves, and fight back by doubling our efforts in serving and reaching out to the poorest and most vulnerable sectors in the Philippines. This increasing persecution will not deter us in fulfilling our mission, which is truly just and humane, to help our people live in dignity.

Leave us in peace and allow us to do our service to our people.

Jazmin Aguisanda-Jerusalem
CDRN Chairperson