Karen and Sherlyn - one year missing




Related Links: ►TAGULAYLAY: Hinagpis at Pakikibaka, a protest procession/march for the release of Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, UP Diliman Campus, July 20, 2006			► Relatives and friends of victims hold monthly gathering, warn of more human rights violations with the implementation of the Anti-Terror Law in July, UP Diliman Campus, June 23. 2007 ►Tigil-Paslang UP demandsjustice for the victims and an end to the killings UP Diliman, Quezon City, June 27, 2006

Students commemorate 1 yr disappearance of abducted UP students Press Release June 26, 2007 A year after the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, militant youth marched towards Mendiola bridge today to protest the implementation of the Anti-Terror Law this July. Last year, suspected members of the military abducted the two students who were conducting field research while integrating with farmers in Hagonoy, Bulacan. "We believe that the Anti-Terror Law shall only be abused, judging from the track record of the military. This means more enforced disappearances, more extrajudicial killings, and more human rights violations," said Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of the militant League of Filipino Students, of which Empeño is a member. "Instead of punishing the perpetrators of human rights violations which is the military, the passage and coming implementation of the Terror Law is a pat on the back for them," said Crisostomo. "Its like Mrs. Arroyo is telling the military to continue what they are doing and use open terror as a repressive measure against progressive organizations and individuals critical of her regime," said Crisostomo. He explained that the Terror Law actually legalizes human rights violations and disregards civil and political rights that are protected by the constitution. Among those rights to be violated, said Crisostomo, are the right to privacy, freedom of speech and assembly, right to travel, and freedom of the press. "The Terror Law is Martial Law institutionalized. A proof that Mrs. Arroyo is willing to go great lengths just so she can continue her illegitimate regime," said Crisostomo. Crisostomo added that the 'war against terror' is just a veil to hide the true intentions of the government. Legal organizations that have been labeled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as 'communist fronts' are the real targets. Meanwhile, Crisostomo explained that today's rally signifies the youth's intensification of its campaign against the Terror Law. "Recent pronouncements of the police says that they are ready for the Human Security Act. These coming days, we are going to make sure that the students too are ready to face it," said Crisostomo. ### Reference: RON VILLEGAS Information Officer League of Filipino Students 10-C Speaker Perez St., Quezon City http://lfs.kilusan.net 09159426139 ► On 1st anniversary of abduction of UP students Youth groups link up with int'l students in protest march to Mendiola













After the press conference at Palma Hall, student activists went around (including this cafeteria) to ventilate the issue of extrajudicial killings and other student concerns. Photos show exhibits of the youth groups. Click to zoom.



Statements and News Features

		► Bulatlat: Abducted Youth Lived to Tell His Tale of Abuse from Military ► A pooled statement on the recent threat posed by the AFP against militant youth organizations in schools in Baguio ► Human Rights Groups urge Malacanang to free political detainees on 9th International Day Against Torture commemoration; condemns GMA regime's unprecedented record of violating human rights ► Karapatan to EU: Generals' disclosures on killings reinforces complicity of Arroyo government ► Rebyu ng Hustisya ng Bikol Xpressat Sulo ng Bagong Pulitika ng Southern Tagalog Exposure ► Militant peasants welcome SC call for summit on killings ► Detained Tagaytay farmers heartened by SC ruling
Anakbayan PRS	Desaparecidos PRS

				◄ 5 poems written by a classmate, friend and kasama of abducted student Karen Empeño. Download complete poems in PDF format

BONUS (REWIND) TRACKS: The arrest and torture of Jose Maria Sison in 1977

			Jose Maria Sison was arrested on November 10, 1977 at 2:45 in the morning at Pagdalangan Norte, San Fernando, La Union. After presenting him to Marcos, he was immediately subjected to various forms of torture that lasted for months. He later wrote a detailed account of the torture and violation of his constitutional rights in a statement to the Supreme Court. Download 18-page statement of Jose Maria Sison to the Supreme Court


The mothers of Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan are joined by human rights workers and youth groups in marking the day last year when the two UP students were abducted by military operatives in Bulacan.

Mrs. Erlinda Cadapan, mother of Sherlyn, could not quite overcome her feeling of frustration after narrating how they have spent the year looking for their daughters. Not even a habeas corpus petition filed with the Court of Appeals could help..	Vencer Crisostomo, national chair of the League of Filipino Students (LFS); said it quite clearly: "Instead of punishing the perpetrators of human rights violations which is the military, the passage and coming implementation of the Terror Law is a pat on the back for them,"