CPA FAREWELL TO ROMY SANCHEZ
MEMORIAL SERVICE – 10 MARCH 2005
CATHEDRAL OF THE RESURRECTION
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE PHILIPPINES
BAGUIO CITY

A single shot from a .380 caliber pistol snuffed out the life of a young man along Kayang Street, Baguio City Market at around 5:10 PM on 09 March 2005. Pronounced dead on the spot, this latest victim of state terrorism was first brought to Funeraria Paz for autopsy and servicing, then sheltered here at the Cathedral of the Resurrection where the Baguio NGO Community and militant mass movement advocates held vigil until this Memorial Service, after which this latest hero of the continuing people’s struggle for justice, sovereignty, and national democracy shall be brought home to Cabaruan, San Fernando, La Union.

Who was this young man and why is he a hero of people asserting their rights? Why do we say that he is a victim of State terrorism? How should we interpret this continuing senseless murder of committed activists for change, especially under the present Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Regime? What is to be done?

Romy Caccam Sanchez was no ordinary man. He did not just plod day in and day out. He did not just exist. He lived life – his relatively short life, to the fullest, most of his productive years in the service of the Filipino people – particularly in the Ilocos. He was a propagandist – writer, public speaker and broadcaster, dedicated organizer, mass leader, and selfless activist of the legal national democratic movement. He is presently the Secretary General of BAYAN Chapter - Ilocos Region, and Regional Coordinator of BAYAN MUNA Party List – Ilocos. At home he is father to five young, now orphaned, children; and husband to wife, now widowed, Elvira. Like other committed activists, and martyrs now gone ahead, Romy took to mind and heart the oppressed condition of the Filipino people, particularly in the Ilocos. He would not be silenced in the face of injustice. He dedicated and finally gave the ultimate sacrifice- his life, that there maybe justice, genuine sovereignty and democracy. His untimely death adds him to the roll of people’s heroes.

Romy had no personal enemies that would wish him ill or inflict him death. Since he became active in the legal national democratic movement for almost two decades now, he has been hounded – harassed – detained – tortured by intelligence and military operatives of the State. He is the worst tortured among the Abra 14 – Ilocos activists who were harassed – criminalized- detained in 2000. Up to his murder yesterday, he was hounded and harassed through text and other forms of intimidation. Even neighbors in their barangay observed frequent surveillance and harassment on Romy. Elvira, his wife, was not spared text harassments in the build up of intimidations prior to Romy’s murder yesterday. The oppressed and disgruntled people gain from activism – such as Romy’s. But the ruling classes resist change and the people’s clamor for justice. They manage and operate the Philippine State and its instrumentalities to maintain the status quo. They direct the military and its agents to salvage activists, like Romy, so that people organizing for change and asserting their rights be silenced and cowed into submission. More than ever, with the worsening econ-political-social problems of Philippine society, and the government’s pro-foreign, pro – ruling classes thus mainly anti – people policies; the state will increasingly resort to repression and outright murder to maintain the status quo, in the face of mounting discontent. Such context, that Romy died for his pro-people activism, lays the blame for his death on the State -the GMA Regime and its military – para military– intelligence operatives.

What then is to be done? Are we to be silenced and cowed into submission? That is what the present reactionary status quo in Philippine society wants. But silence and submission are options only for slaves. The continuing national democratic revolution that started in 1896 must be brought to its logical conclusion of genuine justice, democracy, welfare, and sovereignty for the Filipino people and the Filipino nation. Towards this goal, Romy as well as other heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice of life. We are inspired by their example. And we vow to continue the struggle - that their ultimate sacrifice be not in vain.

To Elvira and your five children, as well as to Romy’s parents, siblings and other relatives, we salute you all for having shared Romy with the militant mass movement. Romy is no longer with us. But we gain much inspiration by his example. We can share yet cannot truly carry the burden of your grief and loss. But we can continue to care for each other and all other suffering and oppressed people as we pursue the people’s struggle for a truly just and democratic Philippines.