Do you remember their names? Do you remember their stories?
Aldrin Pineda was just playing in his neighborhood when a police officer shot him. The officer said it was an accident, that he tripped and fired his gun. But Aldrin was 13 years old—too young to be caught in such violence.
Do you remember the secret jail in Tondo? A cramped, hidden room behind a bookshelf inside a police station. People were kidnapped, tortured, and their families were extorted for ransom. Those responsible were not punished. Instead, they were promoted.
Do you remember Joshua Laxamana and Julius Sebastian? Two teenagers who left for Baguio but never returned. The police claimed Joshua died in a shootout, even though his mother swore he didn’t know how to drive a motorcycle. Julius remains missing.
Do you remember the Caloocan Massacre? A night when unidentified men opened fire on shanty houses, killing seven people—including three minors and a pregnant woman. Their families mourned, but justice never came.
Do you remember Francis Manosca? He was only five years old, sleeping at home when gunmen stormed in and killed him and his father. The police said his father was a drug suspect. But what about Francis? What was his crime?
Do you remember Jerico Garcia, Harold Bulan, and Jomari Sinerez? Their throats were slit, a cardboard sign left next to them as a warning to others. Harold was deaf-mute—he couldn’t even beg for his life.
Do you remember Myca Ulpina? She was three years old when police shot her. They said her father used her as a human shield. A senator dismissed it, saying, “Shit happens.” Imagine if that was your child. Would you accept such an excuse?
Do you remember Raymart Siapo? Accused of selling marijuana, he was taken by gunmen, mocked, and shot dead. They told him to run—but he couldn’t. He had a clubfoot.
Do you remember Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo De Guzman? Carl was accused of robbery and allegedly died in a shootout, even though his mother knew he barely left home. Reynaldo disappeared for 20 days before his body was found in a river—stabbed 30 times, his head wrapped in tape.
Do you remember Kian Delos Santos? The boy who pleaded, “Please don’t, I have a test tomorrow.” The police said he fought back, but CCTV footage revealed the truth—he was dragged into an alley and executed. They planted a gun in his left hand, but Kian was right-handed.
If you Remember….
If you remember any of their names, then you know who the real victims are. And if we remain silent, if we turn a blind eye because it does not affect us, then we become part of the problem.
Justice is not just about punishment—it is about fairness, dignity, and truth. Compassion is not just about feeling sorry—it is about standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
We cannot only care when injustice touches our own families. We cannot only seek fairness when we are the ones suffering. We must speak up for those who have been silenced. We must refuse to let power be abused.
These children, these teenagers, these innocent lives—they were not statistics. They were human beings, just like us.
Do not be selfish. Do not wait until injustice knocks at your own door before you care. Be just. Be compassionate. Demand truth. Because if we don’t, who will?
Source of Inspiration: (Photo Credit) Ezra Acayan, Facebook post, June 11, 2020.
Society of Jesus' social apostolate 