War wounds in victims’ hearts yearn for closure
(Second of two parts)
DAVAO CITY—The peace process also recognizes the victims’ right to justice through civil lawsuits, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, international and domestic courts, witness protection and support and trial monitoring.
To stop human rights abuses, the panels in the peace process agreed that the peace deal should also ensure democratic control over the security sector.
The final recommendation of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission will be submitted to the peace panels in October.
Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, government peace panel chair, said cases would be handled in different ways.
“Each story will have to be recovered and programs developed based on need,” Ferrer said.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar said alleged cases of lapses committed by MILF combatants must be investigated.
Jaafar said war was complex and all details about abuses must be made available to ensure these would not be repeated.
“Peace is not just about the absence of war. The Bangsamoro issue must first be answered by resolving the historical injustices primarily against the Moro people,” Jaafar added.
Listening to the case of Kim and Kiko, Ferrer said the government, the MILF and other stakeholders still had a lot of work to do in the coming days to heal the wounds caused by decades of conflict.
“Those years in Basilan were particularly painful. Much remains to be done to heal the different wounds,” Ferrer said.
Kim, now a fourth year high school student, said getting prosthesis was better than using crutches.
“Justice? Of course I want justice. But I do not know what kind of justice I want. Imprisonment? Maybe,” Kim said while wiping tears slowly streaming down her face.
She said she heard about the peace process but she got lost on the debates and political grandstanding involved in it.
“It is now up to those involved in the conflict, including the MILF, to stand by their commitment to peace. They want peace? They should prove it by acting on it,” Kim said.
“I do not want revenge. What I dream of now is that no other child will experience what I have experienced,” Kim said.
Cousins 13-year-old Kim and 4-year-old Kiko lost not only their legs but also six members of their families after armed men attacked their village in Basilan province in 2010. Both are getting prosthesis but they say the wounds in their hearts are still yearning for closure.
