Prelate joins calls for release of abducted activists
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo has joined calls for the release of two Iloilo activists who have been abducted for 100 days.
In a statement released Saturday marking the 100th day since unidentified armed men abducted Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado in Barangay Cabanbanan in Oton town in Iloilo, Lagdameo called on the captors of the two victims to release them unharmed.
"We are very much aware of the great pain and anxiety this has brought to their respective families and friends. With them and in their behalf we are appealing to their captors that they be allowed to return to their families alive and sound," said Lagdameo.
The prelate said "such act of mercy and compassion will help bring at least some peace to our society whose peace is disturbed for many reasons."
Lagdameo had earlier also called for the release of missing activist Jonas Burgos who was also forcibly taken allegedly by military agents in a mall in Quezon City. Military officials have repeatedly denied any involvement in the abduction.
Aside from Lagdameo, local government units in Iloilo including the provincial board and four municipal councils have issued separate resolutions condemning the April 12 abduction and called for the safe release of the two victims.
Former political detainees who fought the Marcos Dictatorship went out in the streets again on Saturday and joined a rally to mark the 100th day of abduction of the victims.
The protesters were mostly members of the Save Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado Movement and the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at para sa Amnestiya (Selda), which counts activists who were jailed and tortured during the dictatorship.
Dominado, who was among the longest jailed detainee in Western Visayas, was the spokesperson of the group in Panay when she was abducted.
The former detainees, mostly in their 50s performed a street play to dramatize the unabated abduction and killing of political activists.
Selda board member Fortunato Pelaez said "what is happening is worse in some respects to Martial Law."
"Luisa went underground, was detained and escaped several times from prison camps and was heavily tortured during Martial Law. She survived. But under this administration, we are losing hope that we will see her again," said Pelaez.
Pelaez said they fear that the abductions and killings would continue with the implementation of the Human Security Act, which took effect on July 15.
Arado's wife Rosemarie said the continued absence of her husband has become unbearable especially to their 6-year-old son Daniel Marshal.
"He is afraid of going to the city now because he says he might be 'kidnapped' liked his Papa," said Rosemarie in an interview.
Dominado's 14-year-old daughter Tamara said her mother's absence has been painful to her and her elder sister May Wan.
"Everything has changed in my life. Before, it is usually the sound of her (mother's) voice that wakes me up on a school day. Now, I only hear the irritating beeps of three alarm clocks," she said in a statement.