Kin of desaparecidos, alleged EJK victims remember their loved ones on All Souls’ Day

Having no closure as to the fate of their loved ones, families of alleged victims of involuntary disappearances and extrajudicial killings gathered on Thursday afternoon to remember their relatives on All Souls' Day.

About 50 families lit candles and offered flowers and prayers at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City for the victims of supposed human rights violations in the country.

"Sa mahabang panahon tuwing November 2, ang mga mga pamilya ng mga sapilitang dinukot o winala ng otoridad o estado ay nagsasama-sama hindi sa loob ng libingan kung hindi sa labas ng libingan," said Nilda Sevilla, co-chairperson of Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearances (FIND), during the event dubbed as "Libong Kandila at Panalangin para sa Libo-libong Biktima ng Karahasan."

WATCH: Kin of EJK, desaparecidos victims march despite rain showers. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Jfvd8yx4c9

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) November 2, 2017

"Hindi po nalalayo ang sakit na dinaranas ng mga pamilya ng desaparecidos sa mga pamilya ng victims of extrajudicial killings. Palagi po nababanggit ng mga pamilya ng disappeared na wala kaming closure dahil wala, missing ang aming mahal sa buhay," Sevilla added.

Sevilla called for an end on enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture and other forms of human rights violations.

Sevilla emphasized that the victims' families have the right to know what really happened to their relatives, adding that due process must be observed in conducting probe on their cases.

"Lahat tayo ay may right to the truth. Ito po ay autonomous or independent right na kaugnay ng iba pang karapatan like impartial investigation, the right to impartial hearing by a competent tribunal," Sevilla said.

"Dapat isapubliko ang resulta ng imbestigasyon, ng proseso," she added.

Families seek justice, closure for victims of enforced disappearances and EJKs. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/ml8g3jjtAL

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) November 2, 2017

Meanwhile, running priest Robert Reyes, in his solidarity message, echoed Sevilla's statements.

"Ang dami pong unsolved cases diyan, kaya 'yung EJK ay malaking issue. Ito ba ay magkakaroon ng kalutasan? Dahil alam natin ang mga korte ay hindi po uusad," Reyes said.

"Sila mismo ang nagsasabi wala raw EJKs. Gagraduate ba tayo sa kasinungalingan ng gobyernong ito?" he added.

LOOK: Kin of victims of involuntary disappearances, EJKs to remember their loved ones this All Soul's Day.  @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Z2ZZ7N2dFW

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) November 2, 2017

Aside from FIND, the event was also organized by Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) and Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD).

The activity is also part of the group's series of events leading to the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day on December 10. — RSJ, GMA News