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Rage and remembrance

Two militant funeral marches were held this week in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and in Bangued, Abra to send Ka Pepe Manegdeg and Ka Albert Terredano to their resting places.

Just nine months ago, we buried Ka Romy Sanchez, Secretary General of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)—Ilocos who was assassinated last March 9, 2005 in Baguio City.

Their deaths are clear testimonies on the current human rights situation in the Philippines. Their fate is an irony as we commemorate International Human Rights Day on December 10.

More than 150 political killings all over the country have been documented this year alone. The victims come from different walks of life – farmers, workers, journalists, lawyers, government employees, church workers. Most of them were activists calling out for genuine social transformation.

Not one case of these human rights violations has seen closure. No justice has been served.

The feeble attempts of official investigations on each of these cases send a message that seemingly, the government wants to bury the issue and let society forget. Apparently, the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime will continue to be numb to the disrespect of human rights because of its unwritten policy to silence the militant and progressive people’s movement.

But they will not succeed. The people will remember and will not rest.

We will remember the names of those who have died. And we will not stop with mourning.

We will remember how they lived and will continue their work.

In San Esteban, Ilocos Sur, as Dom-an, Pepe’s widow held the soil stained by the blood of her husband, she uttered a cry. “Nararamdaman namin ngayon ang dugo, ang dugong ibinuhos ni Pepe dito sa lupang ito, sa pagitan ng mga tabako, sa gitna ng mga magsasaka. Hindi ito magsisilbing panakot sa amin kundi ito ay magsisilbing abono sa kilusang mapagpalaya!Agbiag ni Romy! Agbiag ni Pepe! Agbiag ni Albert ken dadduma pay nga sisasagana nga mangidaton ti biagda tapnu kasta ket mawayawayaan iti gimong!”

We will not forget. We will remember each of their faces and the principles that they have lived for. We will remember and rage until justice is served. #

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