December 10: Human Rights Day

This International Human Rights Day ought to be different from all the other human rights days in the past 10 years, after all, a new President has been installed, one whose family has also been a victim of human rights violations. But, sadly, I can smell nothing new in the air.

Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, both I knew from college, are still missing. Jonas Burgos is still missing. The Morong 43 is still incarcerated and the Ampatuans of the Maguindanao Massacre infamy still has to be made accountable for their crimes. These are high-profile cases that have hogged the headlines at some point in time. Still, the wheels of justice seemed to have had a flat tire, moving forward at an ever slow rate. If these high-profile cases have not been given due attention and justice, I can only imagine the smaller cases' fate, the ones that only few people know about, the ones that don't land the headlines and generate as much attention.

I have written an article in OFFCAM magazine about human rights in the country. Please do get a copy.

Meanwhile, listen to this haunting song written in homage to all those who have disappeared because of their political views.


Desap by Karl Ramirez

Para sa desaparecido. Para kay Karen Empeño, Sherlyn Cadapan, Leopoldo Ancheta, Rogelio at Gabriel Calubad, Gloria Soco, Jonas Joseph Burgos, Prudencio Calubid, Abner Hizarsa, Alex Beloy, Celina Palma, Cesar Batralo, Danilo Macapagal, Domingo Delas Alas, Esteban Pastor, Federico Intise, Felicidad Katalbas, Honorio Ayroso, Johnny Orcino, Jr., Joseph Gonzales, Jovito Velasco, Mario Detroz, Narciso Parani, Nelly Intise, Nilo Arado, Patricio Abalos, Philip Limjoco, Richard Collado, Roger Viray, Roland Porter, Romulos Robiños, Ronaldo Comiso, Ryan Supan, Sergio Viray, Virgilio Tranquilino at sa lahat ng dinukot ng estado dahil sa kanilang makabayang paninindigan. Para sa kanilang pamilya, kaibigan, at kasama na patuloy na naghahanap ng katarungan, patuloy na naninindigan.


Desap
Music and lyrics: Karl Ramirez

C
Lumilipas ang gabi
Am
Abang ang pagdampi ng 'yong labi
F
Kahit sandali
C
Kahit sandali

C
Nangungulila man
Am
ang pusong naiwan
F C
alam naming wala kayong kasalanan

Am F
At hindi kami susuko
C G
Hindi kami susuko
F C
sa paghahanap
F C
sa mahal naming anak
F C
Magulang, kaibigan, asawa, kasama
Am G
Hanap namin sila

C
At nangungulila man
Am
kaming naiwan
F C
hangad ng damdamin ay katarungan

Am F
At hindi kami susuko
C G
Hindi kami susuko
Am F
Hindi kami susuko
C G
Hindi kami susuko
F C
sa paghahanap
F C
sa mahal naming anak
F C
Magulang, kaibigan, asawa, kasama
F G
Hanap namin sila

Am F
At hindi kami susuko
C G
Hindi kami susuko
Am F
Hindi kami susuko
C G
Hindi kami susuko
F C
sa paghahanap
F C
sa mahal naming anak
F C
Magulang, kaibigan, asawa, kasama
F G
Hanap namin sila

Am G
Hanap namin
C D F
Hangad ng damdamin
C
Ay hustisya

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