"We can only wish for the Karen and Sherlyn's freedom, yet it is the most important gift they can receive right now." Thus said Biyaya Quizon, chairperson of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines as they gathered with University of the Philippines students in Diliman to "celebrate" Karen's 25th birthday today.
In a small ceremony, the students sang "Happy Birthday" to Karen, and put their messages of greetings on a big piece of paper, as they recalled their happy times with the two students. They also lit 25 candles for the 25 years of Karen's colorful yet perilous life.
In Masinloc, Zambales, a similar birthday celebration was held with her mother, Connie Empeno inviting friends and family members to a small get-together in their house where Karen grew up.
"However, we understand that these celebrations will never be complete without justice for the two students. It is for this reason that we continue with our protests," Quizon said.
On June 25, students also gathered to remember the second year of disappearance of the students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan. They were abducted by suspected military elements on June 26, 2006 in Hagonoy Bulacan and remained missing since them.
According to Quizon, they are also praying that the courts will rule in favor of the petition for the writ of amparo for the two students, saying this might shed some more light on the abduction of Karen and Sherlyn.
It has been nine months since the Court of Appeals conducted hearings for the petition for the writ. At present, the families of the two students are only waiting for their decision whether the CA will authorize a camp search or not.
Quizon said they fear that the Empeno and Cadapan case might suffer the same as that of Jonas Burgos. The court recently dismissed the petition of mother Edita Burgos for the writ of habeas corpus for lack of evidence linking the military as behind his disappearance.
"We sincerely hope that the courts will rule in favor of Karen and Sherlyn. We cannot sit back any longer as their lives continue to remain in peril. It has also been two years, we should end the grief of their mothers once and for all," Quizon said.
She said, however, that whatever may be the decision of the courts, they will never fail to continue the campaign to make accountable the perpetrators to the disappearance of Empeno and Cadapan.
"We will endlessly hold the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Arroyo government accountable for their disappearance, as witnesses like the Manalo brothers have proven. We can only wish for Karen and Sherlyn's freedom, but we know it is only when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is removed from office that justice may be served at least for now," Quizon said.
The group said they will definitely join the protests set on July 28, on Arroyo's State of the Nation Address, bringing calls for justice to all victims of human rights violations under Arroyo. ###
Reference: Ma. Cristina Guevarra, secretary general and information officer, 09186106275
Biyaya Quizon, chairperson, 09289526973
In a small ceremony, the students sang "Happy Birthday" to Karen, and put their messages of greetings on a big piece of paper, as they recalled their happy times with the two students. They also lit 25 candles for the 25 years of Karen's colorful yet perilous life.
In Masinloc, Zambales, a similar birthday celebration was held with her mother, Connie Empeno inviting friends and family members to a small get-together in their house where Karen grew up.
"However, we understand that these celebrations will never be complete without justice for the two students. It is for this reason that we continue with our protests," Quizon said.
On June 25, students also gathered to remember the second year of disappearance of the students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan. They were abducted by suspected military elements on June 26, 2006 in Hagonoy Bulacan and remained missing since them.
According to Quizon, they are also praying that the courts will rule in favor of the petition for the writ of amparo for the two students, saying this might shed some more light on the abduction of Karen and Sherlyn.
It has been nine months since the Court of Appeals conducted hearings for the petition for the writ. At present, the families of the two students are only waiting for their decision whether the CA will authorize a camp search or not.
Quizon said they fear that the Empeno and Cadapan case might suffer the same as that of Jonas Burgos. The court recently dismissed the petition of mother Edita Burgos for the writ of habeas corpus for lack of evidence linking the military as behind his disappearance.
"We sincerely hope that the courts will rule in favor of Karen and Sherlyn. We cannot sit back any longer as their lives continue to remain in peril. It has also been two years, we should end the grief of their mothers once and for all," Quizon said.
She said, however, that whatever may be the decision of the courts, they will never fail to continue the campaign to make accountable the perpetrators to the disappearance of Empeno and Cadapan.
"We will endlessly hold the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Arroyo government accountable for their disappearance, as witnesses like the Manalo brothers have proven. We can only wish for Karen and Sherlyn's freedom, but we know it is only when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is removed from office that justice may be served at least for now," Quizon said.
The group said they will definitely join the protests set on July 28, on Arroyo's State of the Nation Address, bringing calls for justice to all victims of human rights violations under Arroyo. ###
Reference: Ma. Cristina Guevarra, secretary general and information officer, 09186106275
Biyaya Quizon, chairperson, 09289526973
