Statement of Leeboy

It is very fortunate for me to still be alive after the incident on April 12.

I could not express enough my gratitude to the people of Cabanbanan who helped me after the shooting. I’m especially thankful to their Barangay Chairman Eduardo Erecre who took me in his house and held me as they brought me to the Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital. The immediate attention given me by my doctors was a positive factor in saving my life.

I’m also thankful for friends and concerned individuals who visited, expressed moral support and contributed money while I was in a critical condition. To say the least, their compassion was heartening.

Even more heartening is the concern and courage of many who raised their unequivocal condemnation of the vicious shooting and abduction. The immediate coming together of individuals and organizations to map out the search for Luisa and Nilo is commendable. The contribution of many local and some national government officials in these efforts should prick the conscience of the perpetrators.

Nobody else has any motive against Luisa and Nilo, who are both activists and members of legitimate people’s organizations, other than the implementers of the “anti-insurgency” program of the government. The audacity, swiftness and coordination of the abduction lead to the conclusion that it was an intelligence operation by government troopers.

Extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations have ruined the lives of thousands in this country in the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo alone. The fact that these continue despite strong and persistent clamor against them, even from the international community, should drive us all to stronger and more widespread outcry for respect of basic rights and freedoms.

In the face of brutal acts by forces of darkness, people who cherish their rights and freedom cannot afford to be cowed into silence.