They are Still Killing the Children

It was a diabolical act of murder so foul, so vicious and merciless, that the good people in Zamboanga city are throwing up. They never saw anything as cruel and ghoulish like this. They are aghast, outraged, and shocked at the cruelty and blood lust of the killers. But surely they are determined, no doubt, to get the killers, vindicate the victims and cut away their shame courageously with the sword of justice.

The three mutilated corpses, found hog-tied, their lips taped, mouths gagged, horrific torture marks all over their skinny frail childish bodies, evidence of a slow agonizing death at the hands of their monstrous killers. They were innocent street children, begging, running errands, selling plastic bags to survive another day around the bus terminal. What despicable human being could have done such an evil act and why?

The youngest is Jerry Escober. He was just 12 years old. His corpse was found dumped like garbage covered in blood. Fourteen (14) year-old Elive Dablo Jr. and Carlo Catalan, 15, bore similar wounds, evidence of a deliberate, hate-driven torture session to cause as much pain and suffering as possible. Their hands were tied in front of them, their fingers frozen in death, out-stretched in pain, as if begging for mercy but there was nothing there that was human, just hate-filled creatures filled with vicious contempt, ridicule and drunk with the pleasure of inflicting unbearable pain on others. To know that the world has an abundance of such inhuman people, most armed and dressed in uniforms, makes one not want to live unless a just reckoning can be had.

It has been reported by City Police Director Sr. Supt. Edwin De Ocampo that the children's mutilated bodies were found by a farmer in a ditch beside an irrigation canal in Sitio Gapuh, Barangay Talabaan, Zamboanga city recently. This heinous crime will live in infamy until the killers are caught and convicted. The screams of those children being brutally tortured were silenced with packing tape. Their agonized cries were stifled and unheard. From the grave they appeal and beg for justice and peace. Their cries are shouting for us to save other children from the same treacherous evil and merciless murderers.

All who come to know of it must speak out, raise our voices in protest, write our words of outrage, and cry out for justice for all the abused and tortured children. May none have peace of mind and heart that remain silent and indifferent. Make your voice heard when the voices of the children are gagged and silenced. How can we live in peace and comfort knowing such atrocities go unpunished and ignored?

What good is it having heavenly spirituality, religious rituals and rites, pious prayers, fasting and faith, and not have the will power to act for justice and protest evil to protect children?

The prophet once said of his own prophecy, "embrace not this, if you have no heart empowered with the love of justice and truth, no feelings of righteous anger, no care for they who ask for love and freedom. Then go, heartless loveless one, into the darkness of a useless life. Yea! Come thou the brave, come into the light, be true to the goodness of your inner self, embrace my words, understand, stand forth and lead the way to justice with courage and unwavering virtue." Metesla.

It was reported, but not confirmed, that the three youth were arrested and brought to the police station accused of robbing a female police officer out of uniform. They were later released when there was no evidence against them. Did her male uniformed companions infuriated, pick them up and did this to avenge her? We may never know. But the police know.

It is not an isolated case. Death Squads, acting with impunity, have killed hundreds of youths in Davao in the past decade. Two more were killed last February there. Other cities have their "killer corps" too and the bodies pile up. As the prophet said, we cannot be silent, we must "lead the way to justice with courage and unwavering virtue."

JOIN OUR APPEAL. Please send a letter direct to Secretary Leila De Lima, Department of Justice, Padre Faura, Manila 1000, Philippines, or send it to the Preda Center, P.O. Box 68, Olongapo City 2200, Philippines, for hand delivery or e-mail to preda@info.com.ph.