I am Rosalina
October 15 2024
2 minutes
On June 20, 2018, I lost my son, Catalino “Nono”. He was only 23 years old when he was shot dead during what the Philippine authorities call a “legitimate” police operation. They claimed he was involved in drug trafficking, but the police never provided any evidence to support their claims. After his death, we were harassed daily by the police to silence us.
But I will not be intimidated. His death is one of thousands of extrajudicial killings that have taken place under President Duterte’s tough anti-drug policies, policies that have hit poor families and communities like ours hard.
I am now fighting with my daughter Jonalyn for justice, not only for Nono, but for all the families who have lost loved ones in this war against the poor. Here in the Philippines, it is dangerous to stand up for human rights. Activists like us risk our lives. Every year, dozens of human rights defenders are killed. Yet, we do not give up the fight.
Together with PAHRA, a broad alliance of human rights organizations and a partner of 11.11.11, we will continue to fight against impunity and for justice. We, the mothers, wives and children of victims, are no longer just victims. We have taken our fate into our own hands and have become human rights activists ourselves.
Six years after the death of my son Nono, we continue to fight with courage. Determined to demand justice for him and for all other victims of extrajudicial killings in our country. This is not an easy fight, but we women refuse to remain silent. We will continue to fight, for Nono, for our families, and for the future of human rights in the Philippines.
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