Groups mark Jory Porquia anniversary, seek justice

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By Juliane Judilla

Various groups across Panay held activities on April 30 to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the killing of activist Jory Porquia and renew calls for justice.

Community kitchens were organized in Cagbang, Oton, and in urban poor communities in Kalibo, Aklan.

In Aklan, the initiative was led by Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap-Aklan.

Spearheaded by the Justice for Jory Porquia Movement and Porquia’s loved ones, the activities served not only as acts of remembrance but also as a continuation of the community kitchens that Porquia organized during his lifetime.

A Mass and program were also held at the Gegato-Abecia Columbary in Tanza, Iloilo City.

This was followed by a candle-lighting ceremony and a picket protest held in solidarity with calls for justice for the Negros 19, referring to 19 individuals killed during a military operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19.

Human rights groups have claimed that the victims included nine civilians who were killed in strafing and indiscriminate firing, while authorities have described the incident as an armed encounter involving suspected members of the New People’s Army.

The Commission on Human Rights has launched an independent investigation into the April 19 incident in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, which left at least 19 people dead, including student leader Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma.

“We recognize and remember Jory Porquia as an exemplary comrade who rendered great service and helped the people,” said Leeboy Garachico of Panay Alliance Karapatan.

“As family, friends, and the masses gather, our resolve grows stronger to be courageous and to continue calling for justice,” he added.

Porquia served as the Iloilo City coordinator of the party-list group Bayan Muna and was a staunch advocate for human rights and environmental protection.

At dawn on April 30, 2020, Porquia was shot dead in his home in Arevalo, Iloilo City, while having coffee.

Prior to his killing, Porquia led community kitchens in urban poor communities during the pandemic lockdown, an effort that supporters said made him a target of red-tagging and surveillance by state forces.

Reports from 2020 identified Porquia as Bayan Muna’s Iloilo City coordinator and said he was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Arevalo district.

Six years later, justice remains elusive for his family and supporters.

His family, along with the underprivileged communities he served, continues to demand accountability and justice.