2023-07-11 03:15:00
The workers at the Cubao cafeteria have something in common: they are all relatives of victims of extrajudicial executions.
In 2021, Redemptorist Jun Santiago set up a small café with the help of a group of artists and media professionals. It was to provide work for the families of victims of extrajudicial killings during the pandemic and offer them an avenue to share their stories.
Santiago established Silingan Coffee at the Cubao Expo complex with the help of the Response and Break the Silence Against Murders (RESBAK) alliance, which provided the space for the coffee. RESBAK unites artists and media professionals who have come together to oppose the war on drugs and the human rights abuses of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
The name of the cafeteria is the Visayan language term for “neighbor”, and reflects the local motto. It has become popular among students and human rights advocates.
“We don’t just sell coffee, we also tell stories,” Santiago told Rappler.
Since its foundation in 2021, the café has not only improved its services -it now has a mobile kitchen in the Redemptorist Church of Parañaque-, but some of its employees have been encouraged to share their experiences as relatives of victims of executions with any client. who wanted to hear their stories.
Nanette Castillo, 54, has worked as a waitress at the Silingan mobile kitchen. In 2017 her son Aldrin was shot to death by five unidentified men near her home. Authorities labeled Aldrin’s case a “death under investigation,” similar to other shooting incidents involving unidentified suspects.
“We are happy in Silingan because we are like a family. The staff have been through the same thing, we are all victims. We all lost our loved ones and most of us are breadwinners for the family,” he said in Tagalog.
Nanette Castillo carries a laminated photo of her son Aldrin everywhere. Photo of Alexandria Magno.
Ann, who lost her son and husband in the drug war, also works as a waitress in Silingan. The 49-year-old manages to do it while she combines her studies with other part-time jobs.
He was able to regain hope thanks to the support of the cafe. He says he sees his work as a temporary escape from the horrors wrought by Duterte’s war on drugs.
“When I work I am happy because I am with my colleagues. It’s our chance to catch up, spend time together, and make sure they’re okay too.”
The staff at Silingan Coffee are like family. Photo by Alexandria Magno.
Family members continue to face difficulties in seeking justice for their loved ones. Through the space that Silingan has given them, Castillo hopes to break down stereotypes regarding the victims.
“Silingan cafeteria is not just for families of so-called ‘drug addicts’; Silingan coffee shop is for those who respect human rights, care regarding people and enjoy helping people,” he added.
Message to Mark
While waiting for the investigation into the deaths of their relatives to progress, Silingan employees asked current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to show true “unity” by solving the cases. In the interview they were asked what message they wanted to convey to the president as his first anniversary approached at his residence and workplace, Malacañang Palace.
While awaiting progress in the investigations, Silingan employees are calling on current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to show unity by solving the cases. When asked what message they would like to convey to the head of state, who is regarding to celebrate a year at the Malacañang Palace, Castillo said: “let him act like a president.”
“As you always say, for there to be unity in the country, show us that you are doing the right thing: that the people who committed these murders be investigated,” he added.
Marcos had said he would continue Duterte’s war on drugs but in a “slightly” different way, making prevention and rehabilitation his top priorities rather than focusing on mere law enforcement.
Just months following his inauguration in 2022, he also said that he has no intention of allowing the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court.
Castillo added that then they should investigate all cases of deaths from the drug war without exception.
Ann, for her part, said: “My appeal to the president is to pay attention to the victims. We all know the story of the Marcos, but this is a way for him to show that he is different.
Rappler.com/ with reports from Alexandria Magno. Alexandria Magno is a Rappler volunteer at Santo Tomas University.
This story was originally published in Rappler (Philippines), and is republished within the Program of the Human Journalism Networksupported by the ICFJ, International Center for Journalists.
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