Desaparecidos in the Philippines: A continuing nightmare

Relatives and friends of the victims of enforced disappearances marched in Quezon City on Saturday to press their demand for the military to surface their kin. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

A wall for the disappeared. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

A relative of one of the desaparecidos continue to mourn. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Elizabeth Calubad and her missing husband and son. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Sons and daughters still looking for their parents. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Justice for the disappeared. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Karen Empe�o, abducted on June 26, 2006: Her pillow. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Honorio Ayroso: His kamiseta. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Cesar Batralo, abducted on Dec. 21, 2006: His cap and jacket. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Leopoldo Ancheta, abducted on June 24, 2006: His shirt for sleeping. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Romulos Robi�os, abducted on Nov. 16, 2006: His cap. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Gabriel Calubad, abducted on June 17, 2006. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Rogelio Calubad and the favorite things that he was supposed to pick up before he was abducted. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Gloria Soco, abducted on June 26, 2006: Her favorite mug. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

An Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) from the Light Armored Division of the army has been stationed outside the municipal hall of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, since May 15. Residents and election observers are outraged at the level of militarization in the town. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

An Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) in the streets of Guimba, Nueva Ecija. Residents and election observers are outraged at the level of militarization in the town. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

The IOM team previously reported that military troops deployed in Guimba were pressuring local residents to stop supporting progressive party list organizations Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, and Gabriela, and to vote for Bantay party list instead. Retired Gen. Jovito Palparan, who is being criticized for abetting human rights violations against activists in the Central Luzon region, is Bantay�s first nominee. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Rev. Larry Emery, spokesperson of the IOM Nueva Ecija Team, at the Guimba Municipal Hall. Foreign visitors from the Peoples International Observers Mission (Peoples IOM) witnessed how soldiers and unidentified armed men roamed freely around the site where the election canvassing was taking place in the town of Guimba in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Police make their presence felt inside a canvassing center at the Candelaria municipal hall in Quezon province, Philippines. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Foreign observers caught this teacher with an unlocked ballot box as he lined up at the Comelec provincial headquarters in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, midnight of May 14. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran, who is still in police custody, votes under the watchful eye of a police officer, in Quezon City. Read the story. (Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan)