Light a Candle for the Disappeared

Baclaran Church

November 2, 2006

On All Saints' Day, we, the relatives of the disappeared continue to suffer but cannot mourn. We are uncertain whether our missing loved ones are still alive or already dead. There are no graves where we can light candles or offer flowers.

Those we call desaparecidos are our relatives who were abducted and are still missing. They come from the ranks of workers, peasants, professionals, youth, indigenous peoples and women who were tagged as enemies of the state. The military, police and paramilitia – the elements of the state -- are the only ones who would have the motive to silence them and stop them from their work in serving the people.

Many of the desaparecidos have been missing for years. There were more than 1,500 victims of  enforced disappearance from the Marcos Dictatorship, up to the Aquino administration. Under the  administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, 186 have been documented missing.
 

- from the statement of the Desaparecidos

Download: Lighting the Way Home for Desaparecidos by Bulatlat

Download: Magsindi ng Kandila para sa Desaparecidos

1,500 - desaparecidos, Marcos to Aquino

186 - desaparecidos, Arroyo regime

In praise of martyrs: Stop the political killings in the Philippines

Statement of the Stop the Killings in the Philippines Campaign
Vancouver Steering Committees

"The light of our candles will serve as the symbol of our burning hope to attain justice and to  punish the perpetrators of enforced disappearances. We believe that the candles will also light  the way home for our missing loved ones."

Her husband, Armando Cedro, a community organizer in Malabon, was abducted in 1988 during the Cory Aquino regime. He has remained missing since. Flor broke down in tears while lighting candles for her husband and other desaparecidos.