FAMILIES, friends and colleagues of Ilonggo activists and desaparecidos Maria Luis Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado recently marked the 11th anniversary of their abduction. We express our solidarity with them and the families of other victims of enforced disappearance.
According to the “Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance” proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 47/133 of Dec. 18, 1992 as a body of principles for all States, an enforced disappearance occurs when “persons are arrested, detained or abducted against their will or otherwise deprived of their liberty by officials of different branches or levels of Government, or by organized groups or private individuals acting on behalf of, or with the support, direct or indirect, consent or acquiescence of the Government, followed by a refusal to disclose the fate or whereabouts of the persons concerned or a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of their liberty, which places such persons outside the protection of the law.”
While the killing of a loved one is painful, the involuntary disappearance of one is even more excruciating. Being kept in limbo on their whereabouts makes one nurture “hopeless hope” that one day they will surface alive and hale. Victims’ families endure years of uncertainty, and are therefore unable to grieve. This is emotional and psychological torture. Also, the representations the families make to the authorities shed light on a disappearance expose them to reprisals. Hence the families become victims as well.
From Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law, where 759 victims of enforced disappearance were recorded, according to human rights organizations. The supposedly icon of democracy, Cory Aquino, surpassed the record and registered over 821 cases of disappearance, claims activists. During the Ramos administration, 39 disappearances were recorded by rights groups, and despite Joseph Estrada’s short stint in the presidency, 26 victims were documented during his time. Meanwhile, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s record on enforced disappearance showed 206 cases, according to rights groups. Under the second Aquino administration, on the other hand, rights groups recorded at least 16 victims from 2010 to April 2013, despite the enactment of a law that criminalises the act of involuntary or enforced disappearance.
As we remember that night of April 12, 2007 in Barangay Cabanbanan, Oton, Iloilo when armed men forcibly took away Maria Luisa and Nilo, let us resolve once more to fight enforced disappearance and other forms of human rights violations until justice prevails.
Endlessly guessing and imagining what they have gone through brings in the chill, the tormenting anguish. But we choose and we dare to rise above this situation. Let us admit without accepting that in a society ruled by greed of the mighty and the powerful, exploitation and oppression of the weak persists. They will try to silence those who profess dissent and those who aspire for meaningful change. But let this not dampen our spirit nor cow us to submission; rather, let this inspire us to action until justice prevails.
