Angelic Hernandez still grieves over the loss of her eldest sister, Benjaline Hernandez, who was killed by the Cafgu and military in Sitio Bukatol, Barangay Kinawayan, Arakan, North Cotabato on April 5, six years ago. Hernandez was in the area doing documentation work on the killing of peasant members of Arakan Peasant Progressive Organization (APPO) when the Cafgus peppered the house where she was eating lunch with bullets. According to human rights group Karapatan, of the more than 10 suspects charged in court for the murder of Hernandez, only two were arrested. One of them, Army Master Sergeant Antonio Torilla, is still in Camp Aguinaldo.
Hernandez’ family returned to Davao recently to join friends and colleagues in a simple commemoration rites of Hernandez’ death. Atenews, the campus publication of Ateneo de Davao University where Hernandez used to be an editor, sponsored the event . (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
