Home | To bottom

International delegates to Cordi Day extend support to Romy Sanchez’s family

MALIBCONG, Abra (April 25) — At least 39 delegates from abroad in the recent Cordillera Day celebration here expressed their sympathy and support to the wife and children of slain political activist Romy Sanchez in a simple ceremony organized by the delegates on April 24.

Romy Sanchez, Bayan Muna regional coordinator for the Ilocos region and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general for the same region was gunned down on April 9 in Baguio City. Though the Cordillera police has identified a certain Alvin Binuya as the gunman, arrests have not yet been made.

Elvie Sanchez and daughter Arianne attended the 21st celebration of Cordillera Day in Brgy. Buanao of the Bangilo District. Elvie said all of their five children wanted to attend the celebration if not for travel difficulties. Mother and daughter participated in the workshop on human rights.

In coordination with the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), the delegates, who hail from Taiwan, Japan, US, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom organized their efforts to concretely contribute to the cause of the people’s movement in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions. After a sharing session each of the delegates hugged Elvie and Arianne, expressing sympathy. The Taiwanese delegates also expressed their sympathies in chants.

The delegates contributed financial aid for Romy’s family, which they later turned over to Elvie.

Sakinu, one of the Taiwanese delegates and a member of the Paiwan tribe, said he was deeply moved by the video documentaries featuring Romy Sanchez and Cordillera martyrs which were shown during the celebration. He said he remembered his own father who died in a war with Japanese invaders in their homeland.

He added that the amount of financial support they gave Romy’s family is not primarily important, but that their moral support to the Sanchez family is what matters more.

“I would like to thank you all for the support you gave our family, especially since you all came from other countries…I do hope that my children will be like their father”, Elvie said.

The event served as a step towards organized international support to human rights violations victims here, CPA Chair Joan Carling said. The delegates will release a solidarity statement on May 1 on the launching of the Justice for Romy Sanchez, Justice for all Victims of State Terrorism, which is in line with a national campaign to stop the killing political activists.

The delegates vowed to support the campaign for justice to all victims of human rights violations. # Donna Villamor for NORDIS

Home | Back to top