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Saturday, October 16, 2004
Friends from legal, NGO sectors march for Arbet Yongco
By Grecar A. Nilles
CEBU CITY -- With one voice, judges, lawyers, city officials, doctors, religious people and various nongovernment organizations shouted for justice for the death of lawyer Arbet Sta. Ana-Yongco and for an end to violence.
But while they hope for the immediate resolution of the case, lawyers were also wary about reports an investigation unit was set to file a case against a person who some lawyers think was a fall guy.
An estimated 3,000 people marched from Fuente Osmeña to the Capitol to express grief over the death of a human rights advocate and "champion of Filipino womanhood."
About 200 lawyers wearing black armbands and carrying placards led the march from the IBP office to Fuente Osmeña, where an assembly of multi-sectoral groups was gathered.
They proceeded to the Capitol, where a two-hour program was held.
"Arbet was a manifestation of quiet heroism. But calling her a hero would even be too tame to describe her. Who would not consider her a hero when she rose against those incredible odds to study and fulfill her dreams in helping the needy?" said Abanse Pinay national president Rina Jimenez David.
She said Yongco dealt with the "darkest and the most evil of realities" when she hurdled everything that came her way. Yongco was provincial coordinator of Abanse Pinay.
Fr. Carmelo Diola of Kamatuoran Inc. said Yongco exemplified the true Christian, because "her heart did not go to the highest bidder."
He added that Yongco's cause was not "alternative lawyering" but what the law is all about. He also hoped other lawyers will lend a hand to those who need legal services.
In a manifesto, at least 15 organizations pledged to unite and make use of all resources to bring justice to the slain lawyer.
"No force on earth can destroy the institutions of law, justice and peace that we have long cherished in this part of the country," the manifesto read.
Among the organizations that signed the manifesto were the IBP Cebu and Cebu City chapters, Abanse Pinay, Kamatuoran Inc., Federacion Internationale de Abogadas, Mactan Island Lawyers' League, Mandaue Lawyers' Association Inc., Cebu Trial Lawyers' Association, Young Lawyers' Association of Cebu, Cebu City Urban Poor Development and Coordinating Council, Cebu Lady Lawyers' Association Inc., Crusade Against Violence, Legal Alternative for Women Center Inc., Kaabag Sa Sugbo and Association of Concerned Commuters and Consumers.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who heads the Cebu City Council, also read the two resolutions passed condemning Yongco's murder.
Among those who participated in the indignation rally were Cebu City Councilors Hilario Davide III, Procopio Fernandez, Joey Daluz, Edwin Jagmoc, Gerry Carillo, Joy Pesquera, Edgardo Labella and Manuel Legaspi, Margot Osmeña, Mandaue City Councilor and Philippine Councilors' League president Carlo Pontico Fortuna, Provincial Board Member Luigi Quisumbing and Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Rosabella Tormis.
(October 16, 2004 issue)
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Another military officer removed from post