We hope warrants vs Palparan et al will usher in the end of impunity in PH

We laud the government's commitment to press charges versus retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. and six others for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of two UP activists in 2006. We hope this will send a strong signal to those believing they are still protected by a cloak of impunity.

Kailangang managot ang mga may sala, at ito na ang pinakamagandang pamaskong handog sa mga pamilyang matagal nang nagluluksa at naghahanap ng hustisya.

We also hope the courts will also seek to resolve other similar cases of those who until this day remain missing.

We believe that it is with the unwavering effort of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima that we may finally hope to succeed in our efforts at ending impunity. It is not an easy task, for sure, but we will support all efforts to find resolution, justice, and closure to the cases of missing persons and victims of senseless killings. It is about time we address these issues. Only then can we move on as a nation, one that guarantees equal protection for its citizens.

NEVER FORGET NOVEMBER 23

Tomorrow, the entire country relives its mourning as we commemorate the second anniversary of the crime known as the "Maguindanao Massacre."

It's been two years since the gruesome event and still our countrymen cry out for justice for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre. It was the worst single instance of electoral violence in our country's history and the deadliest affront against freedom of the press. It gave us international notoriety as one of the most dangerous places for journalists. We must never forget that day when the culture of impunity showed us its worst manifestation.

Until when will we have to wait for justice to be served? It is exactly this failure to solve all, save for a pitiful handful, of these murder cases--as well as an ineptitude in enforcing existing laws--that has bred this culture of impunity. The government must exhaust all efforts to bring justice to those victims and expedite the countless unsolved cases of extrajudicial killings. Until then, let us never forget the date when this culture of impunity reared its ugly and deadly head, costing us the lives of 58 innocent civilians, including 32 media workers. We support the declaration of November 23 of every year as a National Day to End Impunity and we vow to never forget what this means for us.

In line with this, we also would like to share with you that we have filed a resolution declaring November 23 of every year to be a national day to end impunity. We invite you to read the full text of the resolution HERE, and to also view the website of the International Day to End Impunity at DaytoEndImpunity.org.