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“I pray for us to finally see our loved ones, in whatever state they may be, and for the disappearances to end,” a sister of the disappeared said.
MANILA – Families of victims of enforced disappearance and human rights groups under the banner of Karapatan and Desaparecidos marched towards the Department of Justice (DOJ) to call for accountability and surfacing of their loved ones, on Aug. 29, a day before the...
More than a decade has passed since former President Benigno Aquino III signed what was then hailed as a landmark law against enforced disappearances.
Nica is still a student of Wesleyan University-Philippines in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. However, this does not stop her in pursuing justice. Desaparecidos said that she has been an active member since her brother’s disappearance and a frequent speaker during protests and forums on human rights violations.
Relatives of missing activists who have disappeared call for the surfacing of their missing loved ones amid the calls of supporters as well as family members of former president Rodrigo Duterte to bring him back to the Philippines.
“To those who abducted them, we demand that you surface them now. We don’t see any reason why they abducted them. If there are any, then bring these to the court. Abduction does not have a place in a civilized society."
“We believe that James’ disappearance is either the latest in the military’s arsenal of dirty tricks to force his brother Alan to surface… given the military’s continuing failure to arrest Alan."
“One desaparecido is already too much. Let us not further allow the Marcos Jr. government to rob us of our loved ones, rights and justice."
The story revolves around the painstaking and unrelenting search for JL’s abducted brother, Jonas Burgos, who has been missing since April 28, 2007.
Human rights groups and families of victims of enforced disappearances held a “Sunset Gathering” at Bantayog ng mga Bayani to symbolize their continuing search for truth and justice.
“To the president, I can only hope that you heed the calls of the masses and end this pattern of disappearances and human rights violations. I hope to see a nation whose leaders direct their efforts not to oppression but to what its countrymen need."
Families of the disappeared gathered on Nov. 2 at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani to remember their loved ones who are believed to have been abducted by state forces.
"Our strength and determination mirror the struggles faced by numerous families across the nation who persistently seek answers regarding their missing loved ones."
"It is frustrating that government agencies are violating RA 10353. We just want to know if our loved ones are in the custody of Nolcom or not," Eli Capuyan, Dexter's brother, said. "It's been 40 days since the two went missing."
The search for missing activists Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz "Bazoo" de Jesus continue, as more activists are reported missing.
Families of the disappeared commemorate their loved ones on All Souls Day, decrying what they described as the “state’s apparent disregard for accountability and justice.”
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