By Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Aug. 31, 2010

San Francisco – Dozens of activists marched down the streets of San Francisco Monday night to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared and hold the Philippine government accountable to the activists, journalists and community leaders that disappeared during the last regime.

Under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term, these protesters said there were 206 cases of enforced disappearances and 1,212 cases of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

Rhonda Ramiro, Secretary General of Bayan USA said, “We’re still exploring the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Arroyo from here in the United States because we want to fight for the victims under her regime.”

The activists called  on President Benigno Aquino III to release the 43 health workers who were arrested by the Philippine Army in Rizal last February, after being accused of conducting rebel activities.

They also want Aquino to end Oplan Bantay Laya , which they said targets those who speak against the government.
Unless Aquino takes action, they said the disappearances will continue.

“They have been six political killings under Aquino’s presidency.  He should address those and be accountable and continue to give people what he promised , hope and change,” said Sincere Boom, a member of Anakbayan-Seattle.

Activists from other ethnic groups joined the march, saying the United States should stop sending military aid to governments that use their power to silence the people.

Sagnichte Salazar of Xicana Moratorium California said, “Anytime that people are speaking for human rights, they run  the risk of being repressed by their corrupt government. So for us, it is so important to be with the Filipino people because we experience the same struggles.”

Phuong Vuong of Viet Unity said, “Our activists and journalists are also being repressed.  So there are a lot of similarities between our nations.”

Under the Aquino administration, the Philippine military has created a human rights task force which educates the military on how to maintain human rights, even during armed conflicts. The task force also reports any human rights violations committed by the military.

The activists said they felt a sense of obligation to speak for the disappeared, the voiceless whose future remain uncertain and whose future now lies in the hands of the new Aquino administration.