Carmelites mark day of the disappeared in Manila’s Plaza Miranda

The Carmelites led the International Day of the Disappeared last August 30 at Plaza Miranda in Manila’s Quiapo district.

The federation of associations of relatives of the detained and

This year’s gathering was especially dedicated by the Carmelites for missing agriculturist Jonas Burgos, son of Sr. Edith Burgos, OCDS as well as for former Carmelite brother Nilo Arado. Together with hundreds of relatives and supporters, the Carmelites and ecumenical groups led a liturgy for justice and peace then marched along España towards the Liwasang Bonifacio to demand the Arroyo government to immediately surface the missing activists.

Various groups including the Free Jonas Movement, Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties, Desaparecidos, Tanggol Magsasaka and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan gathered at the three-hour program in Liwasang Bonifacio.

In a statement, Fr Jerry Sabado, OCarm declared, “We of the Carmelites Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation believe that the assault on the lives of those who work for justice and peace is an assault against the Church and the whole Christian community. Must the shepherds and prophets of peace be abducted and killed because of their duties in service of the poor? These murderous acts and coward abduction are manifestations that our human rights situation is getting worse despite the national and international condemnation.”

According to the human rights group Karapatan, the number of those abducted and disappeared under the Arroyo administration reached a high of 184 as of August 30, 2007.