The Philippines: Living with the Disappeared

The Philippines is a country that is marked by extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and a climate of impunity. Following the election of President Benigno Aquino last May, the country hopes for a better human rights situation in the future. Nevertheless, the election campaign has been one of the most violent ones in the Philippines' history. In November 2012, almost 60 people were killed in the so-called Ampatuan Massacre, and among these political killings was a group of 34 journalists. Layad is a 15-year-old boy, whose politically active father was abducted by armed men eight years ago. Speaking of his father, Layad recalls: "My dad is, was a peasant organiser, so he died for it. When the military got him he surrendered. And my dad said: 'just arrest me, just torture me or anyway but just don't kill me'.