“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.
One of the protesters raises his placard during a picket on Tuesday at the office of the Commission on Human Rights, demanding for investigation of victims of extrajudicial killings. (davaotoday.com photo by Earl O. Condeza)
The family of the slain eight-year boy reacted strongly to the decision of the government prosecutor who thrashed its murder complaint against soldiers they claimed to have been in the area at the time of the incident.
“Are authorities really that insensitive to children’s rights, that children can become collateral damage to military offensives?” asked Rius Valle, Children’s Rehabilitation Center Southern Mindanao spokesperson
“As families and friends commemorate the death of Juvy Capion and her two sons, the decision comes as an insult to the family and to all the victims of human rights violations,” said Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Carlos Zarate