Movement to save missing activists formed
The family, friends and colleagues of two abducted leaders of militant organizations yesterday launched a movement to help locate them alive and unharmed.
Around 200 participants joined the launching of the "Save Ma. Luisa Posa-Domina and Nilo Arado Movement" at the Carmelite Missionaries in La Paz.
Wearing shirts printed with calls to save the two missing activists, the families of Dominado and Arado appealed to the victim's abductors to surface them.
They were joined by members of various church groups, members of militant organizations and party-list groups.
"We call on all your support and help find Nanay and Tito Nilo and bring her back to us alive and unharmed," said Dominado's daughter May Wan.
"My sister and I, our cousins, uncles and aunts try not to show our grief in public because we do not want to be pitied but want to share with you the anger that we all feel," said May Wan.
May Wan expressed anger against statements issued by military spokespersons that doubted the abduction of her mother and Arado.
"We are angry because the victims and the families are being blamed instead of being helped. We are angry because we have lost a mother, wife, sister, grand mother and friend."
Arado's wife, Rosemarie, said she and their 6-year-old son believe that her husband is still alive.
"I appeal to police officials to hasten their search for Nilo and Luing," said Rosemarie.
Arado, chairperson of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and Dominado, spokesperson of the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa Amnestiya were abducted by unidentified armed men in Oton town last Thursday. Their assailants shot and wounded Jose Ely Garachico.
Former political detainees blamed the government's counter-insurgency program and the military for the attack on the victims.
Fortunato Pelaez, Selda board member, said the attack and similar others including extra-judicial killings and abductions are part of the Oplan Bantay Laya II, the government's counter-insurgency program.
Pelaez said that under this policy, political activists are lumped together with communist rebels and are targets of military attacks
"The attacks are meant to sow fear and demoralize the ranks of the progressive movement especially party-list groups," said Pelaez.
The victims' families have filed a petition for habeas corpus against military officials in Panay. The petition will be heard by the Regional Trial Court Branch 34 today.