Candles, flowers offered for "desaparecidos" in CV

CEBU - Families and friends yesterday offered flowers and lit candles in memory of their loved ones who were victims of forced disappearances in Central Visayas since 1985.

Karapatan Central Visayas said the offering symbolizes the unwavering commitment to seek justice for those who had fallen victims to state terrorism.

“The untiring hopes that propelled each and every heart of the families and friends to demand justice for the victims of forced disappearances fuelled our steadfast dedication to advance the people’s rights in all dimensions,” said Vilmarie Arcilla, Karapatan information officer.

Arcilla also said families of victims have nowhere to go and are confused if they have to join others in remembering their loved ones this All Souls Day.

“We still have no clue on what really happened to our brethren who are victims of the state sponsored forced disappearances,” Arcilla said.

Karapatan said they are in a continuing fight in their search for justice for the victims of the US-Arroyo government.

They have recently recorded the latest victims of enforced disappearances in the region this year - Flaviano Arante and Calixto Alfante.

Arante is said to be a peasant leader in Sta. Catalina, Oriental Negros while Alfante is an alleged member of the New People’s Army.

Arante was abducted on January 25 this year in front of his wife and children. Karapatan alleged that the soldiers of the 302nd Brigade under Lt. Col. Ceasar Yano had taken him to the Nagbinlod detachment. Arante was last seen by his son, Anie Arante, at the Nagbinlod detachment on January 28.

Alfante, on the other hand, was abducted on June 11 in barangay Dobdob, Valencia, Oriental Negros.

Karapatan said that according to witnesses, elements of the 79th Infantry Battalion tied Alfante’s hands and used him as guide during an operation.

From 2002 until June 2008, there are 186 reported cases of forced disappearances.

Karapatan said 28 of the victims were women, 61 of the cases were organized and the rest were unidentified.

Karapatan added that since the abduction of Redemptorist priest Rudy Romano in 1985, there have been 19 unresolved cases of forced disappearances. — Jessica Ann Pareja/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)