Families of desaparecidos gather on All Souls in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — The families of victims of alleged enforced disappearance cases gathered at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City yesterday as part of the observance of All Souls’ Day.

Among those present were relatives of 11 activists who involuntarily disappeared under the administration of President Marcos, namely Elgene Mungcal, Ma. Elena Pampoza, Ariel Badiang, Renel delos Santos, Denald  Mialen, Lyn Grace Martullinas, Dexter Capuyan, Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus, Bea Lopez, Lee Sudario and Norman Ortiz.

Human rights group Karapatan said Nov. 2 has become a yearly gathering of families of desaparecidos or people who have been allegedly kidnapped or killed by
state security forces.

“With no trace of their whereabouts, no knowledge of whether they are alive or dead, families come together on this day, especially to demand the government to stop the crime of enforced disappearances,” Karapatan said in a statement.

Among the latest activists allegedly kidnapped by government forces were Sudario and Ortiz. Witnesses said the two were forcibly taken by armed men in military fatigue uniforms in Barangay Bantug in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija on Sept. 29.

The Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law said there are at least 1,900 victims of enforced disappearances from the
time of Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, up to the
administration of Rodrigo Duterte.

They said enforced disappearances and other human rights abuses still
persist under President Marcos.

“We hold the state forces accountable for the continuing violations of human rights,” the Philippine Task Force of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights said.