Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

by Sr. Cres Lucero, SFIC

(as delivered on the 18th of September, 2008 at the 9th Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates Public Forum entitled “Defending Human Rights Defenders”)

Allow me in closing to be a little bit nostalgic. Twenty one years ago we formed the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates. It has been twenty one long years – from the total war of Corazon Aquino, the Philippines 2000 of FVR, the short-lived presidency of Erap and now the strong republic of PGMA. Twenty one years of advancing human rights from the dark shadows of Marcos to the “democratic rule” of four presidents.

And from these four presidents we were witness to Total War, peace negotiations, war in Mindanao and the emasculation of democratic institutions today. We were witness to the continuing depredations on life, human dignity and liberty.