Rights groups mark ‘Luksa ng Bayan’ in Panay

By Juliane Judilla

Various human rights groups and advocates held simultaneous commemorations of “Luksa ng Bayan” in Iloilo City and Roxas City on October 25, honoring the memory of fallen human rights defenders and people’s martyrs.

In Iloilo City, members of Panay Alliance Karapatan, SELDA–Panay, and Mothers and Relatives Against Tyranny (MARTYR) led the ceremony at the Monument for Heroes and Martyrs in Plaza Libertad.

Participants lit candles and offered flowers as a tribute to those who perished in the fight for people’s rights.

The organizers called for justice for slain activists and human rights defenders, urging the public to continue the struggle for freedom and democracy.

Meanwhile, in Roxas City, the program began with a discussion on the historical and political significance of the event, underscoring that it is not only an act of mourning but also a reaffirmation of commitment to the ongoing fight for justice.

The program concluded with a candle-lighting ceremony, symbolizing collective remembrance and renewed resolve to uphold the causes championed by the martyrs.

Both commemorations served as solemn reminders that the fight for truth, justice, and human rights continues.

As the groups declared, the legacy of the people’s martyrs lives on in every act of resistance and every call for freedom.