🇵🇭 The Philippines' forced disappearance crisis | Al Jazeera English

Summary

In the Philippines, a theater play titled "Desaparecidos" brings to light the dark memories of martial law under Ferdinand Marcos. It showcases the painful stories of those who vanished—the political dissenters—at the hands of state agents. Family members of the disappeared continue to seek justice, despite facing significant challenges. Organizations claim that enforced disappearances, which began during Marcos's dictatorship, persist today. Memorials and protest art strive to keep the memories alive, urging society not to forget the courage of those who stood for freedom. The struggle against oppression perseveres, made even more poignant by the absence of these brave individuals.

Highlights

• A theater play called 'Desaparecidos' highlights the terror of the Marcos era. 🎭
• Families of disappeared activists continue their fight for justice after decades. ⚖️
• Human rights groups claim nearly 2,000 documented cases of enforced disappearances. 🔍
• Art and artifacts serve as a chilling reminder of historical human rights abuses. 🎨
• The struggle for fundamental rights and remembrance continues fervently in the Philippines. 🇵🇭

Key Takeaways

• The play 'Desaparecidos' serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors faced during the Marcos regime. 🎭
• Families of the disappeared still struggle for justice and closure. 🔍
• Enforced disappearances continue in the Philippines, raising concerns among human rights groups. 🚨
• Art and monuments preserve the memory of the disappeared and urge society to remember. 🖼️
• Despite the challenges, the fight for human rights and freedom remains strong. ✊

Overview

In Manila, the haunting echoes of the past come to life on stage as 'Desaparecidos' depicts the anguish of enforced disappearances during the Marcos dictatorship. This play serves not only as a reminder of fear and brutality but also as a tribute to the courage of those who dared to dissent. With every scene, audiences are transported back to a time of terror, urging them to acknowledge this dark chapter in Philippine history.

The families of the disappeared, like Neal deleg Minh and Linda, are still grappling with the loss of their loved ones, many years later. These heart-wrenching stories reveal the struggles they face in trying to obtain justice within a system that appears skewed against them. The lack of government support for victims' families highlights the broader issue of ongoing state impunity and the challenges to achieving accountability.

Despite the passage of time, the fight against the suppression of freedoms remains vigorous in the Philippines. Protest art and memorabilia play a crucial role in keeping the memories of the disappeared alive. They act as sobering reminders that history repeats if forgotten. As the nation grapples with its past, these artistic expressions strive to educate and empower, ensuring the everlasting presence of those who gave their lives for a better future.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Context The chapter 'Introduction and Context' delves into the themes of a Manila theater play called 'The Separa sea dose or the Disappeared.' This play seeks to educate young Filipinos about the oppressive historical period under dictator President Ferdinand Marcos. The play portrays the fear and brutality experienced during the Marcos era. It emphasizes the importance of remembering this dark chapter in history, as illustrated through the narrative of Neal deleg Minh, whose brother Herman Lagman, a human rights lawyer, suffered during this time.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Enforced Disappearances Under Marcos The chapter titled 'Enforced Disappearances Under Marcos' discusses the abductions carried out by military agents during the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines. It highlights the prolonged suffering of families as many abductees have been missing for over 40 years, leading to an immeasurable loss. The political dissenters were considered some of the finest individuals in the country who were deliberately silenced by the regime.
• 01:00 - 02:00: Continuing Abductions and Legal Struggles In this chapter, the issue of enforced disappearances in a state is discussed. Rights groups assert that such practices, conducted by state agents, began during martial law and persist to the present day. The known victims number almost 2,000, but it is believed that the actual number, including unreported cases, is significantly higher. The chapter notably highlights the personal story of Earlene de Cada Pan, who continues to search for her daughter Cherlene Cada Pan, a labor activist abducted in 2006.
• 02:00 - 03:00: Memory Preservation and Protest Art The chapter 'Memory Preservation and Protest Art' discusses the struggles faced by individuals in seeking justice against military agents during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It highlights the disparities in court, where people like Linda perceive their odds as unfavorable due to financial constraints and lack of government support. The narrative includes an anecdote about confronting a military general in court, illustrating the stark contrast between the well-protected perpetrator and the vulnerable victims.

🇵🇭 The Philippines' forced disappearance crisis | Al Jazeera English Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 [Applause] this separa sea dose or the disappeared is a theater play in Manila that aims to remind young Filipinos of the horrors of the recent past scenes here hope to recreate the atmosphere of fear and brutality during the time of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos [Music] Neal deleg Minh civilians brother Herman Lagman was a human rights lawyer he was
• 00:30 - 01:00 abducted by military agents and has been missing for more than 40 years the loss is immeasurable she says not just for her family but also for the country the political dissenters during the Marcos dictatorship were among the finest men and women our country has ever produced they were really consciously deliberately silenced by the agents of
• 01:00 - 01:30 the state because they were very critical rights groups say the practice of enforced disappearances by state agents started during martial law and continues to this day almost 2,000 people are known to be victims of enforced disappearances but the riots groups believe the number of unreported cases is even higher earlene de cada pan longs for her daughter cherlene cada pan was a labor activist who was abducted in 2006 by
• 01:30 - 02:00 military agents when gloria macapagal-arroyo was president Linda feels that even if a case reaches court the odds against people like her are much higher because they are poor and get very little government support the delivery when we face the perpetrator general who beat opal Perrin in court there were so many soldiers protecting him but there we were the victims with no one on our side and then I realized
• 02:00 - 02:30 this is government policy to protect criminals these are relics and memorabilia of Filipinos who were abducted tortured and killed over the years it may seem like a Museum of Horrors but curators say it is necessary to preserve the memory of these recent historical tragedies [Music] there's been a resurgence of protest art in recent times really I mean we hear it
• 02:30 - 03:00 over and over again never forget always remember because history is a cycle and we have to break it family zoom or infer their desaparecidos say even though they are no longer there their struggle for fundamental freedoms continues if anything their absence has only made it stronger jemelle island organ of jazeera