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Remembering Romy

The mass on March 9 that commemorated the 1st death anniversary of Romy Sanchez, 37, the former secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Ilocos (BAYAN) and regional coordinator of Bayan Muna (BM)-Ilocos, was very simple and solemn. Yet, it leaves a striking realization to human rights advocates, progressive organizations and the public who attended, “How many more lives will perish before justice for Romy can be attained?”

Romy was a responsible father and husband. Because of the nature of his work, Romy used to travel from one province to another either for consultations, planning with peasants, or to check the status of BM project. It is very noticeable that Romy ensured, whenever possible, that he had something to bring home to his family. As a matter of fact, it was during his stop at the wagwagan (used clothes stalls) in the Baguio City market – to buy clothes for his wife and children – that an assassin’s bullet took his life.

Romy was also a principled leader – ensuring the interest and welfare of his constituents – even in the face of harassments and threats to his life. Months before his untimely death, agents of the military have been coercing and intimidating him through text messages or face-to-face confrontations to stop his advocacy work among the peasants in Ilocos. He was not cowed by these threats and coercion. Instead, he even persevered in working for the promotion of the rights and welfare of the starving masses of peasants and workers. Close friends and relatives remember how Romy explained to his family that “it is better to die fighting for one’s principles than betraying peasants.”

Romy was not the only progressive leader murdered in 2005. In November 27 and 28, a few days before Christmas, Pepe Manegdeg of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) and Albert Terredaño of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage)-Abra were also murdered. These cases remain unsolved as the perpetrators and the mastermind(s) remain at large.

Furthermore, death threats on progressive leaders are not confined in Ilocos and Abra as it has already reached the leaders based in Baguio City. In the past months, surveillance and harassments have intensified – the boldest was done to Joan Carling, chairperson of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), when her car was broken into, ransacked and the only missing item was the car’s registration papers.

These incidents are not coincidental but rather a well orchestrated act of terrorism by the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) regime to sow fear among the ranks of the progressive groups and suppress the growing mass movement. This is dangerous not only for progressives but also for the general public because the government through the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has proven that it cannot refrain from arbitrary arrests of civilians as in the arrest in Buguias of 11 punks. Also, this will only lead to more human rights violations.

The repression being perpetuated by the state shows desperation. Killing opposition leaders particularly progressive leaders of legitimate organizations shows the restlessness and insecurity of the government because these organizations, despite the black propaganda of the government, continue to gain support even among the traditional politicians; and the government, on the other hand, is slowly losing its support and is now isolated.

Amid intensifying state terrorism, the people will not be cowed but will rather intensify the campaign against state repression. The murder of Sanchez, Manegdeg and Terredaño and the harassments certainly rocked the mass movement in northern Luzon. These did not stop the protest actions demanding GMA’s ouster, and actually made the mass movement more vigilant and militant. On the other hand, the GMA regime is doing its best to hold on to power and will certainly not abandon its policy of repression which remains to be the only option for an isolated regime.

One thing is certain: political turmoil will continue as long as a government advocating repression and suppression is in power. Justice will not be achieved for the victims of state terrorism as long as GMA is in power. #

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