Their sudden ejection from the 10:00 am trip cut them off from the convoy of a relief mission organized by the Balsa Mindanao, the same organization that also organized a low-key but sustained relief and medical missions to the areas ravaged by Typhoon Pablo last year.
“Someone said fear and anxiety make impunity thrive. My impression is forgetting is the bigger enemy of accountability, and the biggest ally of impunity. When we forget, we allow criminals or human rights violators to get away with murder,” said Carlos Conde, Philippine researcher for Human Rights Watch.
Eight years since her death, Hernandez’s family found a ray of hope when the UNHRC issued its decision in August 2010. The Committee found the Philippine government guilty of violating Article 6 of the Covenant which states, “Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.”
IT HAS BEEN four years since 58 individuals, including 32 journalists and media workers, were brutally killed in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao. To date, no one has been convicted of murder…
“The migration of survivors indicate the rising problem of people having lost trust in government,” said Prof. Mae Templa, who is also a coordinator of Balsa Mindanao.