The Philippine State, Society
& Economy, 1992-1998

Apr 21, 97
Marcos, Other Rights Violation Victims to Troop Back to the Streets to Demand Justice and Indemnification
By Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon (SELDA) [Society of Ex-Detainees for Liberation from Detention and for Amnesty]

Victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime and other rights violation victims will troop back to the streets tomorrow, April 22, to assert their demands for justice and indemnification. They are looking at the resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines as the legitimate venue for their grievances, including the controvery over Commission on Human Rights chairperson Aurora Recia's issuance of two certifications absolving the Marcos family. The Marcos victims are urging the Ramos government to honor the US Supreme Court's favorable decision for them.

"The reciprocal working committees (RWCs) on human rights and international humanitarian law of both panels are meeting to complete their assignments," said Marie Hilao-Enriquez, secretary-general of Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon (SELDA). "We understand that they will make a mutually acceptable agreement regarding the indemnification of the more than 10,000 victims of Marcos's martial law."

Enriquez explained that CHR's Recia will be put in a spot because the rights violations victims stand firm that the Ramos government should not in any way exonerate the Marcoses. The victims view the January 24 and March 4 Recia certifications - that Marcos and his children did not violate human rights - as government concessions towards the eventual splitting of Marcos's stolen billion between the Ramos regime and the Marcos family.

"We are still angry at Recia's certifications and the fact that the Ramos government still wants to appropriate the Marcos money," said Enriquez. "We will not be appeased until Recia withdraws her certifications and resigns, and the Ramos government withdraws its claims on the Marcos Swiss deposits.

"We consider it a matter of justice and a step towards peace, that the martial law victims and all other victims of human rights violations are given redress and indemnification. We urge President Fidel Ramos to prove his sincerity for the peace process, by withdrawing all obstacles to the granting of justice and indemnification for the Marcos victims, and all other rights violations victims."





Return to previous page.