Families remember missing loved ones
NO TOMBS TO VISIT Every year on All Souls’ Day, the families of 595 “desaparecidos” gather at Bantayog ng mga Desaparecido on the grounds of Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Parañaque City. The shrine has been a mute witness to the pain and anguish of mothers, wives, children and relatives of these brave souls who remain missing to this day. PHOTO BY RICHARD A. REYES
Erlinda Malicdem still remembers the last words her husband, Jimmy, uttered in Filipino before the urban poor leader disappeared on Oct. 8, 1987: “When the time comes, you’ll understand what I’m doing.”
“He was always there when they needed him,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview. She was 29 when she last saw her husband, then 34, in Sucat, Parañaque City.
Now 54, Erlinda has been visiting Bantayog ng mga Desaparecido at Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Parañaque, since the memorial was erected in 1994. Tomorrow (Thursday), she will be visiting with her three children and five grandchildren, and over 60 other families.
“The families come here every year because they have no tomb to visit on All Souls’ Day,” said Wilma Tizon, deputy secretary general of the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance Inc. (FIND), an organization of families, friends and colleagues of the disappeared, as well as surfaced “desaparecidos” (disappeared).
FIND has documented 1,838 cases of disappearances since 1971. Nearly half of the cases (878) happened during the martial law regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.
“Every All Souls’ Day, we make it a point to visit the memorial to remember our loved ones,” Erlinda said.
She remembers Jimmy as a man for others. “Before he disappeared, every time somebody called on him for help, that person becomes his priority.”
“He’s been gone for a long time, but the pain is still there,” she said.
Common ground
For families and friends of the disappeared, the Bantayog stands as common ground for remembrance. The memorial lists the names of Jimmy Malicdem and hundreds of other missing people etched in granite panels.
Unveiled in September 2004 in time for the 23rd anniversary of martial law, the memorial is the refurbished “Flame of Courage Monument,” which was originally unveiled by FIND on July 13, 1994, the ninth anniversary of the disappearance of Redemptorist priest Rudy Romano.
Romano, a well-known human rights activist, was abducted in Cebu in 1985, allegedly by military agents. To this day, he has not been found.
Designed and created by sculptor Lito Mondejar, the Flame of Courage features a mother carrying a torch, which symbolizes the courage of those left behind and continuing the struggle for justice.
A child holding the picture of his father represents hope that one day, the families will be reunited with their missing loved ones, according to FIND.
Tomorrow’s (Thursday) program will carry the theme “Paggunita at Pagdiriwang sa Buhay at Pakikibaka ng mga Desaparecidos” (Remembering and celebrating the lives and struggles of the Desaparecidos).
Thanksgiving, too
A thanksgiving ceremony will also be held for the passage of the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Bill earlier this month. “We will also again call for President Benigno Aquino III to sign the bill immediately,” Tizon said.
“Now that Congress has approved the bill and it is now in President Aquino’s hands, we hope he will sign it soon,” Erlinda said.
“We don’t want more disappearances. We don’t want more families experiencing the pain that these enforced disappearances cause,” she added.
The first in Asia to criminalize enforced disappearances, the bill was approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Oct. 16, It is now pending approval by the President.
The bill defines enforced or involuntary disappearance as “the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty committed by agents of the state or by persons or groups of persons acting with authorization or support from the state, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared.”
The maximum penalty for offenders is life imprisonment, or equivalent to 20 years and one day to 40 years in prison. Victims of enforced disappearance and their kin will also be entitled to compensation, restitution and rehabilitation.
The crime has no prescription period, unless the victim has surfaced. This means that the perpetrators can still be prosecuted regardless of how long the time of disappearance has passed.
“Every year, the families pray for justice to be served, and for their loved ones to be eventually found,” Tizon said.
Simultaneous rites will be held in FIND chapters in provinces in Central Luzon and Bicol, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Panay, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Western Mindanao.
Martial Law Victims Still Missing Source: Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND), “Beyond Disappearance: Chronicles of Courage”
1972 Edwin Nartates Salvador Santos 1973 Romeo Magbanua Pangandigan Adil Saddira Sarail Arcadio Tumulak Alfredo Mendoza 1974 Roberto Santos Isaac De Guzman Moises Rosanes 1975 Armando Mendoza Roy Lorenzo Acebedo Lamberto Guinto Nolito Acebedo Exequel Ocampo Johannes Barrozo Eugenio Flores Ning-ning Flores Nenita Luneta Eutiquio Cabrera Marcelino Cabrera Vicente Cabrera Primitivo Herbolingo Bienvenido Bodiongan Rogelio Pangan Danny Ramat Manuel Ontong 1976 Leticia Pascual Emmanuel Alvarez Emmanuel Yap Alday Amilusin Ludovico Elma Jr. Mariano Lopez Elino Legbas Carlo Tayag Henry Romero Louie Demontaño 1977 Jose Datu Arnulfo Resus Benjamin Bahiyo Gannie Arra Wahid Diamla Victor Reyes Hermon Lagman Herminio Mallari Cristina Catalla Erwin De La Torre Gerardo Faustino Rizalina Ilagan Ramon Jasul Jessica Sales Modesto Sison Ardiana Villaver Bienvenido Perez Romeo Cabrera 1978 Benedicto Come Jenalyn Giganto Emerlinda Aycochu Edison Coronado Apolonio Tion Felino Malinao Elpidio Flores Roberto Luzon Harana Abubakar Ading Agil Muktadir Sari Ahmad Maran Aidani Pindan Aidani Harana Julkarnain Kahiyulan Julkarnain Ruhana Jumdail Sahila Manadali Lilloh Manaji Sakkam Saddang Asamuddin Sadjarani Mahmod Sadjarani Rakib Sadjarani Hudayya Sahi Itti Sahiron Albani Sappari 1979 Florencio Pesquesa Rodolfo Ramos Mohammad Abdillah Sukon Aguio Alamaddin Kussain Amanodin Salik Sabayan Salik Clemente Listana Pablito Lentija Datu Ali Aduk Motem Kilam Martin Sabang Ignacio Buenafe Regino Espenesin Sr. Pablo Pajaroja Quirino Pajaroja Oliver Roncales Rodolfo Carvajal Pesina Sate Alejandro Endos Juanito Endos Pablo Castro Datu Uiaya Mario Dayondon Arnulfo Mondejar Oscar Mondejar Antonio Villanueva 1980 Mamerto Granados Amina Gawin Modesto Alim Antonio Bantot Matias Lopez Oscar Maningo Alberto Lumanlan Romeo Crismo Tito Mauricio Bienvenido Catubig Antonio Sanchez Gualberto Dalayan Ernesto Cayupasan Monera Abidin Zalika Bakar Ricky Quinico 1981 Vivencio Santos Hilario Sarah Diosdado Magturtur William Bragais Jeremias Mallargo Robert Sayre Teofilo Lanzaderas Acmad Baguinda Ali Talusan Epifanio Puebla Arquelino Maghanoy Facundo Milagrosa Rogelio Dituya Rogelio Taghap Cresencio Barnuevo Alexander Cabrera Wilfredo Luansing Teodorico Raagas Jr. Antonio Sta. Ana Gemeliana Paguio Pastor Armia Clodualdo Duquiatan Iluminada Duquiatan Josefino Duquiatan Eduardo Dizon Isabel Ramos Ireneo Carreon Nestor Narca Sebastian Matibag Alfredo Saballa Saturnino Caño 1982 Marcial Asiong Joaquin Montejo Jr. Marvin Banton Edilberto Guban Gualberto Guban Elino Rada Gemino Sacriz Joaquin Sardo Conrado Dalute Feliciano Pabres Roberto De La Cruz Jacob Gonzales Benjamin Bilmen Jose Rilles Alexberto Cabrera Abel Jerez Oscar Lastimoso Onofre de Mesa Mauricio De Belen Binturi Matangal Santiago Aguinaldo Santiago Ramos Guido Raquino Erning Yadao Maurecio Torciende 1983 Adonis Aniskal Victor Elorde Diosdado Montiza Virgie Bustillo Lourdes Landero Rodolfo Laroya Emelio Mantalogco Cristituto Taglocop Roberto Taglocop Roberto Amparo Cerefino Flores Jr Domingo Almuete Lito Quilicot Antonio Sambajon Henry Quino Diosdado Ybañez Eufronio Quino Cornelio Senoc Wilson Raot-raot Julito Olasiman Narciso Letran Adolfo Pahay Geremias Cepe Nestor Doromal Jimmy Abulok Yolanda Gordula Alfredo Cabasa Igmedeo Cabasa Anastacio Obelle Arnulfo Espinar Romeo Landero Rodolfo Marzan Probo Condez Jr Salvador Munding Marcelino Miral Gina Lomongco Teddy Rabelista Marcelo Silagan Juanito Villarin Manolito Jayme Orlando Espanilla Toto Acibar Enrique Docto Marcial Alfon Sergio Garcia Rene Hava Carlito Tan Jose Geronimo Conrado Mavida Wenceslao Mavida Carlito Abogada Geronimo Quimbo Arsenio Sumino Rodolfo Ganas Feliciano Senoc Roseo Senoc Joseph Ingkoy Ibrahim Sarabi Roman Algarme Roberto Mabeza Reynaldo Gardose Danilo Apalisok Renato Bautista Saturnino Cenizal 1984 Ernesto Amet Julieto Montero Rogelio Secson Warlito Cemeno Zoilo Cemeno Alfred Rayno Mauricio Rayno Menez Tabutabo Lodovico Canoy Juan Estoria Jr Federico Miral Rosendo Binong Francisco Escorro Teofilo Escorro Samuel Tambula Osting Tillares Florencio Vallejos Juanito Llego Rogelio Bernardo Enrique Leal Amor Tabios Gerbasya Libre Isagani Marino Delfin Empon Pedro Gallanero Jr Simeon Jagape Jr Artemio Maglinte Bienvinido Uray Santiago Reyes Segundina Micabalo Lamberto Yuson Rosalindo Yuson Reynesto Santiago Julieto Mahinay Joselito Patorgo Eddie Almonte Rolando Alos Francisco Balucan Danilo Halandumon Jose Jamar Jr Ricardo Kipkipan Cenon Lague Francisco Labrador Ernesto Aprovechar Jolly Badayos Anastacio Esguerra Penajero Santos Arcadio Yambo Francisca Lonzaga Jose Ricomono Nancy Josol Rodolfo Booc Julie Guray Arsenio Bartolo Trinidad Bartolo Carlito Bolaquinia Eugenio Maquirang Danilo Deldoc Sr Reynaldo Yandoc Marcelo Jose Precillano Maat Eleazar Mante Eleseo Resma Juanito Alojepan Edgar Timbad Bonifacio Amarillo Rodelio Manaog Elsie Ravelo Norberto Tompong Larry Catayao Raul Acero Efren Diaz Flordeliza Gorgonio Hildita Buhiya Zita Carredo Reynaldo Mendoza Lourdes Samson Bernardo Buntag Melecio Luib Jr Luciano Astigi Nonita Adin Francisco Cruz Rudy Macapayat Melgardo Landero Ely Coper Raburar Rolando Obbus Rodolfo Amate Norberto Udtiyan Roberto Villareiz Gonzalo Columbres Jr Tiburcio Cubol Rogelio Sullano Henry Hilario Ibrahim Abdulah Cesar Villadores Lolito Limaco Agustin Barnizo Teodoro Ibarra Uldarico Manog Sr Ricardo Santillan Marciano Talay Benito Sacluti Silvestrer Azares Jr Rogelio Gatilas Vigilio Factoran Roman Echano Lorenzo Cabigon Johnny Chavez Jr Hector Petilla Sr Elmerito Pino-on Bonifacio Defamonte Ricardo Magdayao Mario Canillo Mario Canonigo Lamac-lamac Torencia Lintoy Placido Mario Dali-an Losod Amborno Ramon Palma Jerry Renta 1985 Miguel Amidao Benjamin Ando Juanita Apilit Harrison Arzaga Virgilio Badiao Federico Odang Nolinito Munez Alfredo Uray Wilfredo Alaban Mondito Calatay Simeon Sison Winefreda Busbos Danilo Boston Ben Pangan Timoteo Olivarez Antonio Branggan Jr. Sherlito Jamito Efren Lamban Helen Juayang Marcelo Abarca Mario Maglangit Nilo Paculanang Allan Parroco Estriponio Capangpangan Dodong Lagas Mateo Lurupan Jaime Jamero Tenoy Tagulaylay Bernardo Viajedor John Seva Emilio Togonon Benjamin Navera Melencio Yanson Cirilo Campo Lourdesio Obsioma Renato Baunites Aniceto Cagadas Reneboy Del Rosario Alejandro Gemongala Montella Santos Agapito Padilla Jerry Casona Gabino Tanaid Edito Bersola Jerry Caraca Teodoro Gonzales Juan Matiga Hilario Tagudin Rogelio Torregosa Flaviano Navarro Rogelio Ganadin Romeo Rag Cesar Mamon Jovinal Durilag Elena Villas Jose Andalay Jaime Dagasuan Emmanuel Pardalis Charlo Abueva Orlando Gonzalo Joel Jimenez Romeo Jimenez Paulino Pondara Christopher Celicious Florencio Daniel Anastacio Demerin Lorenzo Calungsod Ireneo Gario Venerando Villacillo Ricardo Lascona Nenita Mendoza Marcelino Coming Vicente Dawa Luciano Lawas Ireneo Pruta Boy Socades Vevencio Gonzales Brendo Pelucio Reynaldo Recoleto Delfin Magadan Rosendo Magadan Victorino Magadan Adolfo Neri Marcelino Neri Cirilo Rubio Cirilo Tadlip Eleazar Tubal Tayon Naya Antonio Tacuyan Laida Tacuyan Sarah Tacuyan Aniceta Waslo Florentino Galarpe Rudy Romano Roland Levi Ybañez Roberto Bantilan Ricardo Lacona Claudio Ca-ay Iglecerio Unyong Eulogio Tadlip Rufino Ancoy Aurella de Jesus Rodrigo Laido Pedro Anduhayan Jr Enecito Luad Dante Frondoso Ruperto Aguirre Jr Joebel Bentic Benito Sipsip Julieto Docdoc Alberto Moreno Ronima Pacquiao Mario Sagrado Jr Ma Victoria Matilde Espano Romeo Sebugan Samuel Padayugdog Marianito Abaencia Edgardo Mangadlaw Rodrigo Quizo Alberto Yurong Fortunato Pacomios Soledad Salvador Nilo Valerio Cresteta Fernandez Dario Gawisao Donato Villarubia Jr Rogelio Alfonso Reynaldo Buan Eleuterio Laurito Eddie Demerin Jose Descano Albert Enriquez Hermogenes Boreros Alfred Cupat Bebe Cupat Hermie Mahasol Felipe Retita Jesus Boter Rey Camis Benjamin Swerte Celso Dadia-on Alfredo Logrosa Oscar Logrosa Reynaldo Napili Roseminda Gumampo Aquilio Guminta Ronie Rapal Julius Taparo Lino Taparo Ernesta Empleo Gemma Empleo Jessica Empleo Maximino Empleo Marcel Roxas Jaime Acuram Mario Acuram Pacifico Acuram Maximo Lagumbay Felipe Clave Pastor Molino Felixberto Sescon Nestor Mondega Peter Aniñon Luzminda Albeloros Dindo Suminod Cirilio Tamparong Leah Amidao Antonio Ugdao Epinito Halasan Angelito Laurito Melanio Pal Domingo Pal Reynaldo Pal Omarlito Robles Gaudeoso Sabillo Hernando Gamit Teodorico Baba Garciano Garidos Pedro Tormes Raul Pacete Valeriano Ombay Romeo Rendon Porferio Agay Rodeo Demetillo Mariano Acebuche Pedro Paradero Fructuoso Ejercito Emmanuel Casulla Evangeline Tuganas Marcos Medalla Vicente Abella Marcelino Lucaban Jovito Velasco Elizabeth Resma Crispin Traya Ireneo Monsanto Nilo Ignacio David Barrios Jr Leonardo Bantilan Orlando Gonzales Welio Nalam Rogelio Ocate Josephine Reyes Consolatrix Dapilos Jesus Arcilla Francisco Cumayas Fernando Quiambao Andresita Cagadas Gregorio Odian Saturnino Odian Domingo Orijas Sabeniano Sarceda Agustin Baguio Danilo Gonzales Eleuterio Gumamay Ruben Banhao Cristino Tarrobago Ponciano De La Cruz Rogelio Cortel
1986 Danilo Magsanos Esmeraldo Almazan Arnulfo Rodriguez Diosdado Hicale Marcelo Jabasa Arsenio Perez Victoriano Bautista Bernandino Deleger Donato Torre Jesse Pascua Julio Maniacup Ernesto Bacani Dasol Nanquil
