Continuing Call for Justice, Amid Impunity

06 October 2023

Today, we could have been celebrating the 57th birthday of Dexter Capuyan, a day of happiness and joy. Instead, our hearts are heavy with grief and concern, for Dexter remains missing, abducted with his companion Bazoo de Jesus by suspected elements of the police Criminal and Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) on April 28 in Taytay, Rizal. Despite our hopes and efforts, the Court of Appeals denied the petition for habeas corpus against the concerned police and military institutions.

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Today, a killer should have been found guilty. But no, the regional trial court of Malolos, Bulacan Branch 19 Judge Francisco Felizmenio dismissed the 2016 kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges against retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan. Palparan was infamous for the atrocities committed under his command. His actions, earning him the chilling monikers Berdugo, Murderer, and Butcher, have cast a shadow over our pursuit of justice

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?Justice has failed today. In the face of these injustices, it is natural to feel disheartened and frustrated. However, let us channel our despair into righteous anger, a force that fuels our determination to fight for justice. Our flawed justice system should not deter us; instead, it should galvanize us to rise against the impunity that allows state security forces and their agents to perpetrate enforced disappearances, killings, and torture.

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Today, we mourn the failures of our justice system, but we refuse to surrender to despair. Instead, let us harness our collective rage to demand accountability. We must confront the looming threat of state agents who, emboldened by the absence of consequences, continue to prey on innocent lives like Dexter and Bazoo. We must challenge the Palparans of our time, those who hide behind acronyms like NTF-ELCAC and ATC, as they threaten those who advocate for justice and freedom with terrorist and red tags and persecution.

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In the face of adversity, we draw inspiration from the bravery of Jhed, Jonila, and Raymond, who fearlessly speak truth to power. We find strength in the patience and unwavering resolve of the families of Desaparecidos, who tirelessly search for their loved ones while steadfastly calling for their safe return. Together, we stand resilient, refusing to be silenced by the forces of injustice.

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Although justice may seem elusive today, we hold onto hope. I hope that our collective efforts will eventually prevail and that those responsible for these heinous crimes will face the consequences they deserve. In the end, justice will triumph, and the likes of Palparan will be held accountable for their actions. Let our voices echo with the demand for justice, guiding us toward a future where such atrocities become dark yet indelible chapters in our history.#

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#StopTheAttacks #SurfaceDexterAndBazoo #Justice4RaymondManalo #PalparanGuilty #UpholdPeoplesRights #PalparanBerdugo

BEVERLY L. LONGID

Katribu, National Convener

International IPMSDL, Co-Chairperson

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