For Cochise and Beebom

Cochise was my classmate every year from first year to fourth year high school in La Salle Greenhills. We both then went on to the same University, UP, entered the fraternity together and even became student leaders of the University of the Philippines in the early 80s,

We were student leaders at a time when being such could mean a one way ticket to either a shallow grave or the military stockade. Cochise and I were high school and college buddies. Beebom too was a good friend from College. Hence the news that the mastermind of their gruesome deaths, Mr. Manalili, had been granted executive clemency came as a near shock.

How could a convicted killer, who masterminded the brutal slaying of two young and promising individuals (Beebom based on testimonies was repeatedly raped before being killed)be so easily given clemency by President Arroyo? Where is justice in this case? I ask the President how she would feel if Cochise or Beebom happened to be her son or daughter? How would she feel if their killers where granted executive clemency for their gruesome, dastardly murders?

At a time when confidence and faith in our sytem of justice and in the rule of law have been adversely affected by a string of corruption scandals, now this.

We will do what we can to try and correct this injustice. We cannot simply watch. We cannot simply accept. We will not simply stand idly by as terrible things take place all around us.

I wish for my children to inherit a future that is so unlike the present. A future where justice is the rule rather than the exception. A future where they can be safe and secure. A future with a prosperous, vibrant and life enhancing economy. A future that they, that we all deserve.

Together with many others willing to act, willing to respond, willing to risk, willing to dare, I will do what I can to help bring the nation there.


K

Para kina Cochise at Beebom

Kaklase ko si Cochise mula first year hanggang fourth year high school sa La Salle Greenhills. Sabay kaming nagkolehiyo sa University of the Philippines at magkasamang pumasok sa fraternity.

Kapwa rin kami naging lider estudyante (sa UP) sa kaagahan ng dekada otsenta. Ito ‘yung panahon na ang mga lider estudyante ay madalas napapahamak o ‘di kaya’y tinatanggalan ng kalayaan.

Matalik kaming magkaibigan ni Cochise noong high school at college. Si Beebom ay mabuti ko ring kaibigan noong nasa kolehiyo.

Kaya naman ako’y nagulat at nanlumo noong malaman ko na nabigyan ng executive clemency ang utak sa kanilang malagim na pagkamatay.

Ano ang dahilan para bigyan ng clemency ni Pangulong Arroyo ang isang convicted killer na siyang utak sa brutal na pagpatay ng dalawang kabataan na dapat sana’y may magandang kinabukasan? Ayon din sa mga testimonya, si Beebom ay makailang ulit na ginahasa bago piñata.

Nasaan ang hustisya sa kasong ito? Ano kaya ang mararamdaman ng Pangulong Arroyo kung nagkataong si Cochise at Beebom ay kaniyang anak? Ano ang mararamdaman niya kung mabibigyan ng executive clemency ang taong nagging dahilan ng kanilang malagim na kamatayan?

Nagdedeliryo na nga ang tiwala ng mamamayan sa ating justice system dahil sa kabi-kabilang corruption scandals sa pamahalaan, pagkatapos ito pa ang kasunod.
Gagawin natin ang lahat para maitama ang ganitong klaseng injustice. Hindi p’wedeng manood na lamang tayo. Hindi p’wedeng basta na lamang natin ito tatanggapin. Hindi p’wedeng wala tayong gawin habang mga kahindik-hindik na bagay ang nagaganap sa ating paligid.

Nais kong ang bukas na mamanahin ng anak ko ay hindi katulad ng kasalukuyan. Bukas kung saan ang hustisya ang nangingibabaw at hindi napapailalim. Bukas kung saan sila ay ligtas. Bukas na may saganang ekonomiya. Bukas na dapat nating maranasan lahat.
Sa tulong ng maraming iba pa na handang tumulong at makibaka, gagawin ko ang lahat upang madala an gating bansa sa bukas na aking binabanggit.