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Saturday, June 25, 2005
Speak out: Tribute to lawyer Al Surigao
By Advancement for Civil Liberties Forum
June 24, 2005 marks the 18th death anniversary of Alfonso Surigao--a prominent lawyer, human rights advocate and victim of the very system of injustice he fought against.
Surigao's life reminds us that even if the lure of fame and prestige is the order of the day, there is a road less traveled that brings a person to a place where the reality of life grips us by the throat--in slum areas and communities threatened by demolitions, in mountain barangays threatened by militarization, etc.
He chose to take this road and met his end with a brutality that doesn't befit the nobility of his work. Military assets and members of a vigilante group shot him repeatedly in front of his child in his own home in Minglanilla.
Eighteen years after, such dastardly attacks continue to haunt the people.
In fact, there is an escalation of similar attacks that only underscores the state of an undeclared war the government has imposed against government critics, including activist lawyers and human rights advocates.
The time is but fitting that the people should clamor once more for the swift hand of justice to vindicate the victims of repression and human rights violations.
The scandal-wracked Arroyo government should address this problem and accord justice where it is due. Or face the ire of the people betrayed.
(June 25, 2005 issue)
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